Tissot

Based in Le Locle, Switzerland, Tissot introduced the first mass-produced pocket watch and the first pocket watch with two times zones in 1853; the first anti-magnetic watch in 1929-30; the first to make watches out of plastic, stone , mother of pearl, and wood.

Tissot merged with the Omega watch making family in 1930 and Tissot-Omega watches from this era are sought after by collectors.

Tissot has become known in recent years for its tactile, or "T-Touch," technology; several new watches have touch-sensitive sapphire glasses and include compasses, barometers, altimeters and thermometers.

Stop by Modern Jewelers on Bay Street to learn more about Tissot watches.

Seiko

Although the Seiko name was adopted in 1924 with the introduction of its first wrist watch, the company was actually founded 43 years earlier by a clockmaker in Tokyo's Ginza District. Applauded for its accuracy and craftsmanship, the Seiko watch became a resounding success and by 1938, demand for the timepieces pushed yearly production to well over one million watches.

Dedicated to technology advancement and precise manufacture, the Seiko Company has repeatedly staked its reputation on performance, acting as the Official Timer of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Sapporo, Barcelona, Lillihammer and Nagano.

Seiko's many design innovations include the world's first quartz watch, the world's first LCD quartz watch with six digit display, and the world's first intelligent analog quartz watch with alarm and timer function.

In 1992, with the introduction of the Kinetic design, once again Seiko rewrote the state of the art. The Seiko Kinetic collection is a line of quartz watches that are electrically charged by movement. The Kinetic Auto Relay goes into suspended animation when unworn for three days, thus conserving energy. With a few shakes of the wearer's wrist, it wakes up and resets itself to the exact time.

Other trend-setting, multi-functional watches by Seiko include the Perpetual Calendar series which automatically reset their date settings for the next 100 years; the Chronograph collection with dual stopwatch features; the Le Grande Sport series, a classic combination of contemporary European design and functionality; and the Ladies Jewelry collection, an elegant marriage of versatility and style.

Pulsar

Pulsar Watch, a division of Seiko Watch Corporation, is among the leading watch brands worldwide. These watches are extremely elegant, classy and sparkling. They are wrapped up in contemporary designs by the mean of an eternal appeal. The stunning thick range includes watches for almost all ages of people and their taste. Through the production of modern timepiece watches, it has set up a unique customer category for its brand. By following the same line of parent Seiko, Pulsar persists to innovate, captivate and shine.

In the year 1972, the first Pulsar watch was made public by the Hamilton Watch Company. The expertise and novelty, through which it was created, mesmerized some contemporary press reports to shower a huge amount of praise on it. At that time, it was the first of its kind incorporating digital display and electronic quartz. In the midst of a light emitting diode, it got a new space-age look.

Pulsar watches were launched in the U.S. in 1979 by Seiko Corporation of America. By means of latest looks and innovative features, this collection was the first full line series of all-quartz, specially designed for men and women.

The move became a huge sensation and brought eminence to the brand. To replicate the accomplishment of the U.S. market, in the 1980s, the Pulsar brand was rolled out in the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain and other European markets. This move saw the brand taking sway over worldwide market. The company continued with its expansion strategy so as to gain a wider geographical coverage.

Skagen

Skagen Designs was founded by Henrik and Charlotte Jorst, natives of Copenhagen, on the principle that beautifully designed high-quality objects can be created at reasonable prices. Skagen Watches reflect the Denmark tradition of clean, elegant designs, with skillful craftsmanship and technical perfection.

History

1989 -- Charlotte Jorst moves to New York from her native Denmark to join Henrik Jorst who was working for Carlsberg Beer; After a Danish colleague sends them a few sample watches to sell, the Jorsts embark on their dream of starting their own business.  They marry in May.

1991 -- The Jorsts bring a few sample corporate watches to the New York Premium and Incentive Show.  Retailers respond with enthusiasm and even encourage the Jorsts to design the watches without a corporate logo, to sell the watches in stores. This Summer, 200 pieces of each of these suggested styles were placed into production for the Skagen Denmark collection, and by Fall they were all sold out.

1993 -- After running the business out of their home in Long Island, the Jorsts decide to relocate themselves and the business to beautiful Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  

1995 -- Bloomingdales becomes the first major department store to pick up the Skagen line, and shortly thereafter, other top department stores followed suit with much success.  

1997 -- European distribution of Skagen Denmark begins.

1999 -- Skagen Designs is named to the Inc. 500 as one of the fastest growing small businesses in the United States.

2000 -- Skagen Designs wins the prestigious Blue Chip Enterprise Award give by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Mass Mutual Financial Group to companies that have overcome significant obstacles to succeed in business.

2003 -- Continued success and growth of Skagen Designs requires US headquarter relocation to a 40% larger facility in Reno, Nevada, where the company resides presently.

2005 -- Skagen opens New York City Showroom on 5th Avenue.  The Danish-designed, 2,700 sq ft showroom is a reflection of the artistic and picturesque resort town of Skagen, Denmark.   

2007 -- Skagen Designs launches the world’s first-ever Skagen Denmark Flagship Store in Skagen, Denmark.  Skagen Denmark launches a stainless steel, contemporary and organic line of jewelry. The Skagen Swiss Movement Collection of Watches are launched.

2008 -- The Skagen Denmark Sport line is expanded and launched at the Basel World Watch and Jewelry Show in Switzerland. A new flagship store opens in Copenhagen, Denmark and two  concept stores open in Osaka, Japan and Taipei, Taiwan.

2009 -- Skagen Designs celebrates its 20th Anniversary! Skagen concept store opens in Nagoya, Japan and more stores are planned to open this year.