Beyer Watches & Jewellery
47°22′15″N 8°32′19″E / 47.3708862°N 8.5386424°E
 | |
 The business in 2024 | |
| Company type | Watchmaker and retailer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1760 |
| Headquarters | Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich, Switzerland |
Number of employees | 62 |
| Website | https://www.beyer-ch.com/en |
Beyer Watches & Jewellery (German: Beyer Uhren & Juwelen) is a watch and jewellery maker and retailer in Zürich, Switzerland. Located on Bahnhofstrasse, the business was established in 1760, making it the oldest watch retailer in the world. It is owned by René Beyer and Muriel Zahn-Beyer, members of the eighth generation of the Beyer family.[1]
History
[edit]Matthäus Beyer founded the company in 1760 in the German town of Donaueschingen, Baden-Württemberg. His grandson, Stephan, moved the business to Feuerthalen, Switzerland, in 1822. It was a watchmaker's and spice shop at that time. Stephan's son, Theodor Beyer-Danioth, opened a shop in Niederdorf, Zurich, in 1860. It moved to Paradeplatz (in the building today occupied by Credit Suisse) in 1877. Shortly thereafter, Adelrich Beyer took over the management of the company. It relocated again, in 1927, to its current location in the Orell Füssli building at Bahnhofstrasse 31.[2][3]
In 1948, the business converted into a company, Beyer Chronometrie AG, limited by shares. The shares are owned by the family.[2]
Theodor R. Beyer became the owner in 1955, taking over from his father, also named Theodor. Theodor R. Beyer's son, René, is the owner today.[2][4][5]
In 1965, the company began selling antique and vintage watches.[4]
The business opened a museum, the Uhrenmuseum Beyer,[6] in the same building in 1971. It was originally called the Museum of Timekeeping.[2]
In 2003, the company opened a goldsmith's atelier.[2]
Beyer began selling certified pre-owned Rolex watches in 2023.[7]
Beyer's own watches are manufactured by Aerowatch in Saignelégier, Switzerland.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Switzerland's oldest watch retailer | Beyer Watches & Jewellery Zurich". www.beyer-ch.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ a b c d e "Tradition has a name | Beyer Watches & Jewellery Zurich". www.beyer-ch.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Beyer Chronometrie in Bahnhofstrasse 31 8001 Zürich Switzerland". www.rolex.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ a b "Talking to René Beyer of Beyer Chronometrie located at Bahnhofstrasse in Zürich – WatchAdvisor – Your Time. Our Passion". www.watchadvisor.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Minder, Raphael (2011-04-22). "At Swatch, an Enviable Problem: An Excess of Eager Customers for Its Products". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Beyer Clock and Watch Museum". www.zuerich.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Corder, Rob (2023-07-21). "Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Programme Expands". Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Premium private label | Beyer Watches & Jewellery Zurich". www.beyer-ch.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
External links
[edit]- Beyer Watches & Jewellery – official website