Edox - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Edox brand, founded in 1884 by Christian Ruefli-Flury in Bienne, Switzerland, is a luxury watch brand renowned for its innovation and expertise. The name "Edox" comes from ancient Greek, meaning "measurement of time", reflecting the brand's mission.

Origins and Foundation

The story of Edox begins when Christian Ruefli-Flury, a talented watchmaker, gave his wife a watch of his own making for her birthday. Impressed by the quality of the work, she encouraged him to start his own business. So in 1884 he founded Edox in Bienne, initially specializing in ladies' pocket watches.

Expansion et Innovations

After the death of Ruefli-Flury in 1921, Robert Kaufmann-Hug took over the management of the company and oriented production towards wristwatches, anticipating the transition of the watch industry. Under his leadership, Edox experienced significant growth, employing more than 500 watchmakers by 1955 and becoming one of Switzerland's leading watch companies.

Edox stands out for its technical innovations, particularly in the field of waterproofing. In 1961, the brand launched the Edox Delphin, featuring a double bottom, special seals and a double-seal crown system, setting new standards in water and shock resistance. This patented technology is still used by several major Swiss watch brands.

In 1965, Edox presented the Edox Hydro-Sub, a revolutionary diving watch resistant to a depth of 50 ATM, thanks to an innovative crown system with tension ring, offering increased protection against shocks and guaranteed water resistance.

In 1970, the brand introduced the Edox Geoscope, the first real world time watch, displaying the time of more than 50 countries around the world, as well as local time, thanks to a dial displaying a world map rotating in 24 hours.

Challenges and Renaissance

The quartz crisis of the 1970s posed major challenges for the Swiss watch industry. Edox is not spared and must adapt its production by integrating quartz movements. In 1983, the company was bought by Victor Strambini, who relocated the headquarters to Geneva, in the Swiss Jura. Under his leadership, Edox remains one of the rare independent Swiss watch brands, continuing to innovate while respecting watchmaking traditions.

In 1998, Edox set a record with the Edox Les Bémonts Ultra Slim, the thinnest calendar watch in the world, with a movement just 1.4 mm thick, a technical feat unmatched to date

Sports Commitment and Modern Collections

Edox partners with various water and mechanical sports, becoming the official timekeeper of prestigious competitions such as the World Rally Championship (WRC) and the Extreme Sailing Series. These partnerships reflect the brand's commitment to precision and performance.

Edox's contemporary collections, such as the Edox Delfin Mecano, the Edox Chronorally, the Edox SkyDiver or the Edox Les Bémonts, combine sporty design and elegance, incorporating modern materials like titanium, ceramic and carbon fiber, while maintaining the brand's heritage.

Conclusion

With more than 130 years of history, Edox embodies Swiss watchmaking excellence, combining tradition and innovation. Its commitment to quality, precision and timeless design continues to appeal to watch enthusiasts around the world, consolidating its reputation as a brand of trust and prestige.

Check out the best Edox reviews thanks to Dialicious in order to make the right choice among the brand's different models.

(Updated January 2025)