Ah, here we are-Haas & Cie! Imagine the year is 1848: Geneva’s lake glistens at your back, and two young watchmakers, Léopold and Benjamin Haas, are huddled over their benches on Quai du Mont-Blanc 5. The air is thick with the smell of oiled gears and the sound of hopeful dreams ticking away. Together, they founded what would become Ancienne Manufacture des Montres Haas & Cie. And yes, their “timing” couldn’t have been better!
Now, fast forward to 1884: more family members have joined, the company changes its name to Haas Neveux & Cie, and the original logo gets swapped for a tiny running rabbit-symbol of speed and agility. I like to think that rabbit could have set a world record itself for sprinting through Geneva!
Speaking of records, in 1896 Haas did just that, crafting a ladies’ watch with a movement only 2 millimeters thick. Not long after, in 1902, they scooped up first prize for precision at the Observatoire de Genève. By 1914, Haas was awarded the Grand Prix at the Swiss National Exhibition in Bern-talk about earning your Swiss stripes! And in 1930, Haas became one of the first to put a square watchcase on the market-a pretty bold move in a world of round dials.
From Geneva, Haas traveled the world, appearing in shop windows from Paris to Shanghai to New York. The company saw highs and lows-its rebirth in 1991, and later its legacy taking a new twist when the South Korean SWC company took the reins in 1997, where the Haas & Cie name ticks on. So while the watches may keep perfect time, the story of Haas & Cie is still winding its way around the globe!
