Draft:Delaneau

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Delaneau SA, also spelled DeLaneau, (originally Delano) is a Swiss watch brand and manufacturer that was founded in 1949, and in the 21st century developed a focus on ladies' wristwatches. The company declared bankruptcy in 2019.[1]

History

The company was founded in 1949 in Biel, Switzerland[2] by Rolf Tschudin and Yolanda Tschudin with Albert Kneuss as financial backer. Kneuss sold his part of the business 5 years later. From 1954 until it was sold to Philippe Thévenaz and Cristina Wendt-Thévenaz in the fall of 1997, Rolf and his heirs controlled 100% of the business.[3] In 2004, Delaneau introduced the first tourbillon watch for women, created with the help of Christophe Claret. Since 2005 Delaneau added tourbillon watches to its permanent collection, with a new model releasing every year until 2019. The company added a "jumping hours" watch to its collection in 2007. Following the 2008 financial crisis, luxury watch sales declined globally and Delaneau announced in November 2011 that David Gouten had been appointed the new CEO to lead the company in a new direction.[4] Gouten had previously worked at Harry Winston, in the role of Vice President of Sales for 10 years. Gouten had a vision of more expensive and exclusive watches. Most models from 2011 and forward had a price point of at least $40.000. One of the most recognisable models of the brand was the Delaneau 3-Timezone watch, with featured one big dial and two smaller dials, so that the user could keep track of three timezones at the same time.[5]

New leadership

After being given the role of creative director in the spring of 2009, Brigitte Morina took over responsibility for the entire company's watchmaking.[6] Her first initiative was to focus only on unique handmade watches that could only be obtained by special order, as well as a permanent assortment of 50 unique watches per year. The following year Delaneau received an award from the GPHG, Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève [fr], an independent award jury in the watch industry.[7] Delaneau won the "Best ladies' Watch" category with the Delaneau Rondo Translucent Champagne model.[8] The following year, Delaneau made a limited collection in the same style: the collection was called Rondo Translucent and consisted of unique watches; no two watches are exactly the same. The price started at 55,000 CHF, equivalent to $54,900 in 2021.[9]

Delaneau Rondo 36 Translucent wristwatch

Store and press coverage

Delaneau opened its flagship store in 2010 located in Geneva, Switzerland. The store closed following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[10][11] In 2014 Delaneau also had a pop up store at Harrods in London, that presented the visitors with 22 unique handmade watches.[12] Delaneau received most press coverage during the years 2011 to 2016. In 2011, Luxurious magazine wrote an article on the company.[13] The Jewellery Editor website wrote a number of articles about Delaneau and its watch models during these years.[14]

Sale of the company

In 2017, the company was sold to Monaco-based Luna Management.[15] Delaneau has been dormant since a bankruptcy petition was filed and approved in Switzerland in 2019.[1] The Delaneau website still exists, although it has not been updated since 2019.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Delaneau SA, en liquidation à Genève". Moneyhouse (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  2. ^ a b "DeLaneau". www.delaneauwatches.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  3. ^ Johnson, Sam (2024-07-21). "History of the brand". Worltempus.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  4. ^ "DeLaneau names new CEO". www.europastar.com. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  5. ^ "Delaneau Three Time Zones Chronograph". www.europastar.com. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  6. ^ "Brigita Morina". brigitamorina.com. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  7. ^ "GPHG | © Fondation du Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève". www.gphg.org (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  8. ^ "Prize list 13 | GPHG". www.gphg.org (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  9. ^ "DeLaneau, Rondo Translucent". www.gphg.org (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  10. ^ "DeLaneau opens its first boutique". www.europastar.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  11. ^ "FH - A DeLaneau Store In Geneva - A Stone's Throw From The Rue du Rhône". www.fhs.swiss. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  12. ^ "Harrods Hosts DeLaneau Pop-up". WatchPro. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  13. ^ "Delaneau Open Magic Watches, Modern Original And Dateless". 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  14. ^ "DeLaneau Products". www.thejewelleryeditor.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  15. ^ "Watch Brand DeLaneau Acquired - JCK". 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2024-07-21.

Category:Swiss watch brands Category:Luxury brands Category:Companies based in Geneva Category:Privately held companies of Switzerland

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