Festina
Festina
Festina is a Spanish watch brand. In 1985, businessman Miguel Rodríguez acquired Festina, a brand founded in Switzerland in 1902, thus forming the Festina-Lotus group. The company has managed to preserve the Swiss watchmaking tradition and maintain the renowned technical quality of its productions.
History
Festina was created in 1902 by the Stüdi family in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds, in Switzerland. In 1935 the founding family sold the brand to businessman Willy Burkhard von Wilhelm.
During World War II the company was established in Barcelona, Spain, a part of Adolf Hoffmann. In 1975, Georges Uhlmann, an entrepreneur who had a significant presence in the Spanish and Italian markets, acquired the firm. In 1984, the spanish businessman Miguel Rodríguez acquired the Festina brand and all rights.
The Festina brand derived from the Latin "Festina lente" which means: "Hurry up slowly", a phrase that according to Suetonio, is attributed to Augusto, known for his prudence: "Walk slowly if you want to arrive at a well done job sooner".
Within the Festina Group the brands Jaguar, Candino and Perrelet are Swiss-made. Festina acquires in 2004 the luxury watch brand Perrelet, founded in 1777 by the prestigious watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet. In 2002 he also acquired the Swiss watch brand Candino.
In 1992 Festina became the official Timekeeper of the Tour de France until 2016, staying for decades closely linked to the world of cycling as a sponsor / timekeeper of the most important events of the cycling agenda (Tour of Spain, Tour of Britain, etc. .).
After twenty-five years sponsoring the Tour de France and other sports competitions, Festina has since 2016 had Gerard Butler as ambassador of brand and image of its campaigns worldwide.
