MIMO
MIMO
Associated with Girard Perregaux in 1930s and 1940s.
MIMO Watches may be a forgotten brand nowadays. However, its place in history, especially for Girard-Perregaux is fundamental. It is probably fair to say that without MIMO and its owner Otto Graef, Girard-Perregaux would ALSO be a forgotten brand as well today.
Otto Graef was a watchmaker of German origins that lived and worked to Switzerland, La Chaux-de-Fonds. Graef founded MIMO (Manufacture Internationale de Montres Or) in 1918. At Girard-Perregaux on the other hand, after the death of Constant Girard in 1903, his eldest son, Constant Girard-Gallet took over the firm and aimed to continue the heritage of his father. In 1906 he bought the Bautte Company to fuel more growth. However, the first World War was an economic shock for Girard-Perregaux and business was failing more and more.
When in 1928 Constant Girard-Gallet retired, only a shell of the brand Girard-Perregaux was left and production had ceased. Otto Graef together with his 3 sons Willy, Paul and Jean bought the remains of Girard-Perregaux. At that time MIMO had established itself as an innovative brand of wrist watches and soon after the take over of Girard-Perregaux, they launched the brand Girard-Perregaux in North America, branding mostly MIMO watches that also remained on sale in Europe under the MIMO brand.
