Ebel
On 15 July 1911 Eugene Blum and his wife, Alice Levy went before the authorities of the watchmaking town of La Chaux-de-Fonds to enter their newly established EBEL watch brand in the commercial register. The four letters stood for nothing other than Eugene Blum Et Levy. EBEL introduced its first wristwatches within a year of the start of business and in 1914 produced a comprehensive watch collection for the Swiss National Exhibition, including wristwatches, pendant-watches and ring-watches. Their successful debut was rewarded by a gold medal. From then on, other brands had watches completed under their own label by EBEL. This so-called private-label production was to become the main branch of the company's business in the following years. In 1925 EBEL opened a sales office in Paris. At the legendary Art-Deco Exhibition, which took place in that same year the aesthetic and original products drew attention to the brand. A report from the fair read, "The most amusing piece is an octagonal watch with a geometric décor". In October 1929, Eugene and Alice's son, Charles-Eugene Blum entered EBEL's service. With the watchmaker, Marcel Reuche, he installed disciplined production control, effective quality assurance and a watertight system of checks. This brought in new, especially promising clients, including VACHERON-CONSTANTIN with its sub-brand ASTRAL. EBEL also made wristwatches for the American market under the Paul Breguette brand name. For the company's 50th anniversary, Charles Blum launched the successful "President" model and the EBEL caliber 059 with reversed winding. It was Pierre-Alain Blum who brought EBEL to fame. In 1971, the first year of his tenure, turnover increased by 30%. In 1973, he bought 70 % of the shareholding from his father, Charles, and by 1975 he was the sole owner. In that year EBEL won the contract for the production of CARTIER watches. To maintain EBEL's independence Pierre-Alain Blum created the popular "Sport Classique" line with its characteristic wave bracelet. In 1982, he launched the "Sport Automatique" chronographs with ZENITH "El Primero" movements. In 1994, EBEL passed into the hands of Investcorp, and Pierre-Alain Blum retired from the company in 1996. From 1999 to 2003 the brand has been part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) portfolio. Since 2004 EBEL belongs to the American MOVADO Group.
Wristwatches, by Gisbert L.Brunner & Christian Pfeiffer-Belli - Konemann
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