Festina Wrist Watches

FESTINA Wristwatches Throughout Time

For FESTINA its 100 year anniversary signifies a firm commitment to the future. Now, as then, we do not stop here. Without losing a second we continue innovating and designing watches that are solid, elegant and exact... Watches for all sorts of occasions, for all kinds of ways of living.

Since 1902 - date of its foundation in Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland)- until now, a series of accomplishments have made Festina one of the most prestigious brands on an international scale.

In 1977, Miguel Rodriguez, president of the Group, arrived in Switzerland in search of a patent of the very highest quality. In 1984 FESTINA joined the Lotus Group, recognized for its innovative spirit. It was the beginning of a union for the future, a union of tradition and the avant-garde, precision and design.

The challenge of creating a brand with its own personality has been met. FESTINA watches have gone side by side with one generation after another, winning confidence, sharing experience, second by second, with people who live their lives intensely.

Starting out in the decade of the seventies, Mr. Miguel Todriguez founded in Spain what is today the FESTINA LOTUS group. From its beginnings, the Group has remained faithful to its innovative spirit and determination to offer high quality in its collections.

On this basis and thanks to an enthusiastic vision of the business the FESTINA LOTUS group went into action and consolidated an excellent position: Lots of watches and wristwatches. More is better.

Once his training was completed, he worked as master horologist in seve-ral local factories. The economic crisis forced com-panies to drastically reduce production, certain of them closing down entirely.

It is at this time that Louis Cottier decided to go into business on his own, working for 13 years in the back room of a book and stationery shop which his wife operated at rue Vautier 45 in Carouge. In this modest atelier he began his activity as a maker of desk clocks, pocket antique watches, wristwatches and hand-made pro-totypes.