Marvin was founded in the Swiss Jura region. It conquered America then made its mark as one of the Swiss reference brands in more than 70 countries. It produced several million watches, some of which took pride of place on the wrists of celebrities. It was characterised by the quality of its movements, and also by its resolutely modern, inventive and elegant style. Despite some years of slumber, it still enjoys an excellent image in the hearts of lovers of beautiful, reliable and precise mechanical watches.
In 1850, the brothers Marc and Emmanuel Didisheim founded a watch-making company in St-Imier, in the Bernese Jura. Thanks to quality of its products and the dynamism of its distribution, the company grew fast. In 1894, it moved its activities to La Chaux-de-Fonds, metropolis of the Swiss watch industry. At the very beginning of the 20th century, the brand adopted the name of Marvin, the patronymic of an American partner, a great enthusiast for its pocket watches; it also adopted as its logo the three-pointed crownpicking up the reversed M. Marvin’s success grew with the advent of wrist watches. In 1950, when it celebrated its centenary, the La Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture employed a staff of nearly 300.
The major objective of the four generations of Didisheims who followed one another at the head of the company, was always to offer products of quality.
Marvin also appeals to its customers by the very wealth of its collections – steel watches or gold, round models or square, simple or complicated, chronographs, calendar watches, traditional style or fantasy. This creativity, together with the quality of its products, has won the brand the friendly support of many celebrities, such as the racing drivers Ascari, Sterling Moss and the famous Fangio. In the 1970s, with the advent of quartz, Marvin was forced to close its manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It was bought up by a watch-making group and it continued to produce mechanical watches, before disappearing from the scene end of the 90s.
A FLUID HISTORY
In 1850, the brothers Marc and Emmanuel Didisheim create a watch company at St-Imier in the Bernese Jura. Due to the quality of its products and the dynamic nature of its distribution, the company expe-riences rapid growth.
At the beginning of the 20th century the brand adopts the name Marvin probably after one of its American partners. It takes as its symbol, a three-pointed crown, representing the inverted letter 'M' of Marvin and the 'W' of watch.
After conquering America, Marvin emerges as a point of reference among Swiss brands in more than 60 countries. Over time, it produces millions of watches, including models that become genuine col-lectors' items.
For the four generations of Didisheim who succeed one another at the company's helm, the main goal is always to offer quality products. Early on, the movements manu-factured by Marvin acquire an outstanding reputation and are sought by other leading brands to equip their watches.
Marvin is also hired to produce an official watch line for airline companies such as KLM and Air France.
In a constant quest to improve the quality of their products, the Didisheim brothers are often pioneers, developing numerous patented systems.
Marvin also builds its success on the aesthetics of its products – a style both simple and refined, always ahead of emerging trends. This creativity combines with the quality of its products to earn the brand popular support from numerous celebrities, including motor racing drivers Ascari, Stirling Moss and the renowned Fangio.
In the 70's, with the expansion of quartz movements, Marvin joins a powerful watch-making group, Manufactures d’horlogerie Suisses Réunies (MSR), which encompass other reputable brands.
In the 80's, and throughout the following decade, MSR entrust the license for Marvin watches to an Italian industrialist, passionate about traditional Swiss watch-making. He produces exclusive collections destined for specific markets.
In 2002, Marvin reclaims its independence under the leadership of a group of passionate individuals, determined to re-ignite the brand's spark and dynamism. Marvin Watch Co. entered a new era, cultivating and combining its philosophy of quality, elegance and originality with the spirit of the 21st century.
Today, Marvin is again an inter-national player and part of the Swiss watch-making industry, perpetuating the values of its more than hundred-year-old heritage.