History - RONDA AG

Foundation of RONDA Ltd. Lausen by Mr. William Mosset. Production of components for a wide variety of watch movements.

Start of production of ebauches or "movement blanks" under license for BRAC.

Production of the first RONDA ebauches after a long struggle with the Swiss authorities, who were protecting the so-called "watchmaking statute". Thus RONDA was the first company apart from the big existing watch groups to receive these production-rights.

New markets sprang up in Asia, leading to the creation of a subsidiary in Hong Kong as well as increasing market-activities in the USA.

In the early 1970s, the advent of quartz technology sent shockwaves through the watchmaking industry. The new quartz movements were far more accurate than the traditional mechanical watches. With its dynamic spirit, RONDA was quick to develop its first quartz movement.

During the 1980s, quartz technology conquered the global watchmaking industry. The worldwide market rose from about 50 million to 400 million in 1990. The wristwatch had become a fashion article.
Owing to unrelenting pressure on prices, production was heavily automated and partially shifted towards Asia.

Death of William Mosset.

The successful worldwide market penetration prompted RONDA to increase its production capacity in Asia. A new subsidiary was established in Thailand in 1990 for the assembly of watch movements as well as manufacturing electronic components.

RONDA celebrated its 50th anniversary with a workforce of about 1000 people on three continents. RONDA receives the ISO 9001 certification, as the first European movement manufacturer.