History

Today like yesterday, RAMA WATCH SA is synonymous with tradition and Innovation. From the craftsman's workshop to the company of international renown, from mechanical watches to quartz chronographs, RAMA WATCH SA has always set itself a single target: to guarantee flawless quality resulting from technical refinement and inimitable know-how. The story of RAMA WATCH SA? It has been written over 80 years by three generations with a passion for time measurement.

1914
In a small workshop with wooden walls, every spring, every gear-train is made by hand. At that period there was no question of standardization or of international norms. Clocks of all sizes, fob-watches all have their own history. In his shop, Mr. Marachly designs new models. He is an artist as much as a craftsman, using his imagination and ability: ideas spur designs, and these are followed by production. Several days are sometimes necessary to repair a balance staff, to perfect a movement or to re-invent a missing piece.

1928
Birth of Rafik Marachly. Very early in life, he discovers the magic of the watch world and plays with the treasures in his father's workshop. He is astonished by everything: dials, pocket watches, antique pieces. He becomes familiar with his father's works, listens to the "master's" explanations and copies his precise and meticulous gestures. From his earliest childhood, Rafik Marachly feels his heart beat at the rhythm of the watches he sees produced in front of his eyes.

1940
Rafik Marachly spends all his leisure time in his father's workshop. He is no longer content with merely looking and his father entrusts him with some of the work, such as the very delicate and exacting manufacture of balance springs.

1946
At the end of his secondary education, Rafik Marachly decides to diversify his professional experience by training periods at a printer's and later on at a cabinetmaker's. After trying his hand at journalism, Rafik Marachly soon refines the watch and clock world that he will not leave again.

1951
Rafik Marachly takes over his father's company. In the possession of an irreplaceable know-how, he intends to perpetuate the tradition of manual craftsmanship. Aware of the challenge represented by technical evolution, he decides to update production and management tools.

1956
Rafik Marachly creates "his" first model: a watch with date indication round the dial.

1959
Over the years, RAMA WATCH SA diversifies production and conquers many markets abroad. A constant wish to participate in the latest technical advances gives Rafik Marachly a chance of increasing his collection of mechanical and self-winding watches.

1968
Wishing to meet the diversified tastes of his clientele, Rafik Marachly develops a range of square and multiform watches allying original design with a subtle play of colours.

1970
RAMA WATCH SA moves to the Ernest Schüler street in Bienne.

1978
New change of address: the company is established in larger premises in the Collège street.

1979
The advent of quartz revolutionizes horological techniques: RAMA WATCH SA releases its first model with digital display.

1980
RAMA WATCH SA sets itself up at the Hügi street. Staking on constant innovation and an ever increased professionalism in manufacture, Rafik Marachly creates in the following years a whole series of new models ("Echelle" and "Phase de lune" baguette bracelet lines).

1986
RAMA WATCH SA decides to re-launch the self-winding watch. This new orientation is decided along with the fresh reserves that have joined the company: sharing the same eagerness as their father, four children of the family will come over the years to help him in his work at the service of technical watch perfection.

1990
Launch of a range of chronometer watches.

1992
Creation of the "Bellissima" range and the "Pyramide" model.

1993
Creation of the "Babylone" model.

1994
Creation of the "Palace" model. RAMA WATCH SA moves to the Wyttenbach street, in hypermodern and functional premises.

1995
Launch in Basel of a new ladies model "Victoria" available in two sizes.

1996
Due to the great success encountered by the Victoria ladies model, RAMA WATCH SA creates its twin for gents and at the same time transforms the Palace model by adding a bezel and by replacing the brass with stainless steel. This model quickly becomes the flagship of the RAMA WATCH SA collections.

1997
Launch of the "Palace Square" collection. Existing only in 18-carat gold, in stainless steel, or in a combination of these two noble metals and set with genuine diamonds, the Square palace introduces RAMA WATCH SA in the upmarket world.

RAMA WATCH SA wins a contract to produce watches under the Madeleine Vionnet label and launches its first line named "Haute Couture".

1998
RAMA WATCH SA officially sets and establishes the RSW brand, which is an abbreviation of Rama Swiss Watch giving it a younger and more dynamic impulse. On the other hand the management decides to follow a conceptual environment for each of their pieces. The Puzzle line sees the light this year to show this new path.

1999
The Sumo automatic line is created. With this model RSW enters the age of the Swiss watch making tradition with its first automatic piece. The size of this tonneau case was also big at the time and in advance for its time (36 mm large for 41 mm long). This model was also made in particular for the Asian or more precisely Japanese market accordingly.

2001
The introduction of the Lady Liberty line was the first piece of the RSW jewellery & watch line concept dedicated to women. This model became to this date the most emblematic piece of the brand.

Lady Liberty line. © RSW

2002
The 7th Sense family is completing the RSW collection with 4 distinctive shapes i.e. square, rectangular, oval and round. This family of products is distinctive through its sapphire glass boldly worked in 3D.

2003
The company RAMA WATCH SA is moving from the city of Bienne to the shores of La Neuveville, building its own plant holding now 50 employees. For the first time in its history, RAMA WATCH SA creates a line of accessories with pens, leather goods, cuff links and perfumes completing the lines of timepieces offered already.

Rama Watch SA in La Neuveville. DR

2004
Simply Eight, the watch with 4 facets and 2 movements, is introduced in the RSW jewellery & watch family.

2005
The automatic chronograph Nazca is inspired by the famous Peruvian perspectives of Nazca with, on the side case, a crank crown mechanism patented by RSW for rapidly changing the time zone. Also new in the jewellery & watch family the Tzarine line, a little purse finely-crafted in steel case fastened to the wrist by flexible strap.

2006
Golden Ice is the first 18-carat gold piece introduced by RSW in rose, white or yellow. The RSW designer has created with this timepiece, geometric forms using rectangles, buttresses and parallelograms.

2007
Crossroads has joined the family of automatic timepieces in the RSW collection. This piece is also flanked with the now famous crank crown patented system that is used in several of the RSW lines.

Princess Liberty is the little sister or the natural evolution of the Lady Liberty line with a new octagonal shape, new in the RSW assortment this year.

2008
RSW consolidates its reputation of outstanding design in developing the model "Outland" with its unique avant-gardistic approach. Anxious to meet the desires of his female clientele, RSW gives birth to the "loop" family in a heavenly and eternal symphony. RSW introduces the line High King capable of seducing traditional watchmaking connoisseurs fond of progressive timepieces designed for everyday refinement including a Tourbillon limited with 25 pieces.

Outland Round Chronograph. © RSW

2009
RSW continues its contemporary design path and strengthens its range with three new lines. Moonflower is an automatic contemporary watch for lady with an organic and sensual design. Diving Tool enters the small circles of exclusive diving watches, water resistant to 300 meters with a screw down crown. Hampstead is presented in rectangular shape in 2 sizes with an unmistakably English touch and elegance.