You already know that Switzerland hides real horological treasures. We have already talked about these houses to know about, which operate in the shadow of Rolex, Tissot, Omega and other Longines or Patek Philippe. Among these names that you must have heard of, how can we not mention Delma?
Founded in Biel in 1924, this family-owned and independent brand is therefore celebrating its centenary this year. The perfect opportunity to delve back into its eventful history!
Delma, a Swiss watch brand worth getting to know
So it is in Biel (like Omega!) that Delma was born in 1924, thanks to the brothers Adolf and Albert Gilomen. Since its foundation, the brand has established itself as a reference in the Swiss watch world, but especially among true enthusiasts, still suffering today from a severe lack of notoriety.
Despite a change in ownership, first from the Gilomen family to Ulrich Wüthrich in 1966, then to Fred Leibundgut thirty years later, Delma has managed to retain its family spirit. Today, under the direction of Fred and his son Andreas, the company continues to manufacture its watches in Lengnau, remaining true to its origins and its commitment to Swiss quality.
Over the decades, the brand has managed to distinguish itself in various kinds of watchmaking, but it is particularly recognized for its diving watches, where robustness and reliability are essential. The Periscope, launched in 1969, and the Shell Star, in 1975, are clearly among its most iconic models.
Without hoopla or fanfare, Delma has managed to evolve with the times, embracing new trends while remaining firmly rooted in Swiss watchmaking tradition, characterized by an almost obsessive attention to detail and a commitment to innovation. Besides the underwater world, she continues to draw inspiration from aeronautic (Pioneer, Commander) and automotive (Continental, Montego) universes to develop sport-chic collections that don’t have much to envy the competition (Alpina, Oris, ZRC, Mido…), with prices generally ranging from 2000 to 3000 euros.
A new whirlwind for the brand’s 100th anniversary
To celebrate its centenary, Delma is unveiling this year its new Tourbillon 1924, a watch that embodies the brand’s excellence in high-end watchmaking.
Limited to 100 pieces, this watch incorporates the tourbillon mechanism, invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, as a solution to the influence of gravity on the watch movement. The manually wound DT100.01 calibre, with a power reserve of 105 hours, is Delma’s first exclusive movement, marking an important step towards independence and innovation in movement design.
The Tourbillon 1924 stands out for its elegant design, with a stunning sandy black dial, housed in a 41mm 316L stainless steel case. Adorned with a steel strap with an option for Italian leather, this timepiece is not only a celebration of Delma’s history but also a testament to its future in high-end watchmaking.
Available for pre-order until March 16, 2024, the Delma 1924 Tourbillon is available at a preferential price of 8900 CHF or 9900 dollars. After that, you will need to shell out 12,500 CHF or 13,900 USD to wear this piece of history on your wrist. As it embarks on the second century of its existence, the family-owned and independent brand born in Biel is thus enjoying a nice move upmarket and seems more desirable than ever.
