Ebel started off from a husband, Eugene Blum, and his wife, Alice Levy, who used their names to create Eugene Blum et Levy. It was founded in LaChaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1911.
Within the next year, they created their first wristwatch. Propelling their brand to recognition was their gold medal at the Swiss National Exhibition in 1914.
Along the way, the company was awarded for many high profile awards. This prestige took it being recognized as the key supplier of watches to the British army during the period of 1939 to 1945.
The next biggest award was again the first prize in Swiss National Exhibition in 1964 for their jewelry watch, Lune Etoilee.
By 1970, the grandson, Pierre-Alain took over the company. He was focused on marketing and introduced many new lines during his ownership.
Their Sports collection took off very well in 1977. The 1980s was an important decade because they launched many collections into the market that were very successful.
For example, in 1983, the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, reflected showed Ebel’s technical prowess in mens watches. This collection has a self-winding mechanical caliber called 136.
Its perpetual calendar includes months and leap years as well as moonphase. The chronograph, at the same time, measures 1/10th of a second to 12 hours.
Then they unveiled the diver’s watch called Discovery in 1984, and 1985 the Beluga range was brought into the market. The Beluga range was developed with more feminine designs and curves that attracted many of the female watch collectors.
The next range that showed Ebel’s strength in creating the most refined and clean designs was the 1911 during their 75th anniversary in 1986.
This collection has three oval subdials on a silvered dial which has a unique styling. All 1911 chronographs including those newer versions thereafter are all using Ebel’s COSC-certified movement called the caliber 137.
LVMH (Louis Vuitton) saw value in the company and bought them over in 1999. One of their biggest breakthroughs thereafter was in 2001 when their new versions of 1911, ladies’ Beluga Machette, and the Classic Wave collection were launched.
Another collection with great design and unique shapes was introduced in 2003 known as Tarawa. It reflected strongly the company’s interest toward creativity. Tarawa mens watches are also full of daring steps to make a difference in the outlook of watches.
Its case requires close to 50 steps to produce a one piece triple-curved design. The sapphire glass also takes this similar shape to fit perfectly into the case and this entails great precision as well as testing the limits of watch making.
Of significance in this collection would the Tarawa Gent and the Tarawa Automatic Chronograph that has been of great interest among many collectors.
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