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Century Time Gems Ltd was founded on January 5, 1966, by Hans-Ulrich Klingenberg, the first day upon the abolition of the "Statut horloger", which had prohibited the entry of newcomers into the watch industry for almost 40 years.

Contents 1 Vacuum Chronometer Corporation 2 The Century Timepiece 3 Sources 4 External links

[edit] Vacuum Chronometer Corporation

The Company was firstly called Vacuum Chronometer Corp., which manufactured vacuum watches (sold under several well known trademark), of his own invention: the air being the vector of moisture and all impurities as well as of temperature differences that impair the automatic movements' chronometer precision, Klingenberg had devised a watch case where a void of 80% could be created and maintained.

Furthering his vision of the perfected watch, he soon started manufacturing such cases in Boron carbide, followed by sapphire (corundum).

[edit] The Century Timepiece

Upon the advance of Quartz movements, vacuum automatic watches became much less in demand. But, being less bulky, Quartz movements offered Klingenberg the opportunity to finally realize his perfect watch, creating a monolithic diamond facetted watch case of sapphire, applying another of his patents.

Klingenberg selected "Century" as his brand, as his new watch's beauty should be able to last for over a Century unimpaired.

Located previously in Biel/Bienne, the company is now established in nearby Nidau, still in family's hand, led by one of his sons.

The company is a full fledged member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH.

[edit] Sources

• HR watches: Century
• Article about Century in German
• watch-wiki Klingenberg
• 10s10 comments on the latest launch for Klingenberg's 80th Anniverssary
• WorldTempus Official Site
• [1] Longines Century Vacuum
• [2] Glycine Vacuum in 18ct Gold
• [3] Waltham Vacuum: 1966
• Swiss Registry of Commerce

[edit] External links

• Century Time Gems - Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH
• [4] (p. 22) - Guld Bulletin journal
• Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH
• Century Time Gems Ltd Official Website

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