Arthur Kocher (1861-1919) founded 1891, a silver watch case factory in Grenchen, then 1907 the company Kocher & Cie. 1919 he handed the business to his son, Walter, who went bankruptcy the company in 1924. Silvan (1867-1947), Arthur's cousin, founded 1918 the watch factory S. Kocher & Co., the company's brand ESKA. Over the years they established a large conglomeration of more or less famous brands. Most of them were sold identically but by different brand names to particular markets only.
Worth to mentioning are:
ROYCE USA, AlLTANUS, KOWA for Africa, Korva for Asia/Russia/Easter Europe, NELCO, FOSKA, PASSERELLE ... 1942, a new factory was established.
Silvans sons Erwin (1895-1970) and Silvan (1897-1968), who among others, the Association of Swissgerman Watchmakers, headed the the company. The Kocher Family clans influence in this decade of time was enormous. One was engaged also in ebauches and movements with A. Schild (AS) as well as EBOSA.
Edgar (1907-84), another son Silvan immigrated in 1929 to Brazil, Manaus and created a business empire (including watches and clocks, car fittings, cables)
The genius Hans Kocher (Büren Watch) is also part of the family dynasty that influenced the Swiss Watch Industry significantly in the 50/60's years.
Watch crises in the late 70's ended the success story in 1987.
Everything get splited and partly integrated in today's Swatch Group.
And just by the way:
The historic in the 50s built KOCHER Villa owed by ERWIN is on sale this days 2011. A true historic building with almost authentic 1950/60's with characteristic interior, I have ever seen. Large living room with historic paintings and everywhere Safari trophy s of wild animals and for sure a mahogany built wonderful authentic Cigar smoker Longue. and and.....
By entering one feels like to be transformed 60 years back. One can almost physically feel the spirit of the wealthy upperclass family s lifestyle of this years. When Erwins widow past away and the in Brazil living son Willy invited me, I have had the luck to visit it a few times.
Worth to mentioning are:
ROYCE USA, AlLTANUS, KOWA for Africa, Korva for Asia/Russia/Easter Europe, NELCO, FOSKA, PASSERELLE ... 1942, a new factory was established.
Silvans sons Erwin (1895-1970) and Silvan (1897-1968), who among others, the Association of Swissgerman Watchmakers, headed the the company. The Kocher Family clans influence in this decade of time was enormous. One was engaged also in ebauches and movements with A. Schild (AS) as well as EBOSA.
Edgar (1907-84), another son Silvan immigrated in 1929 to Brazil, Manaus and created a business empire (including watches and clocks, car fittings, cables)
The genius Hans Kocher (Büren Watch) is also part of the family dynasty that influenced the Swiss Watch Industry significantly in the 50/60's years.
Watch crises in the late 70's ended the success story in 1987.
Everything get splited and partly integrated in today's Swatch Group.
And just by the way:
The historic in the 50s built KOCHER Villa owed by ERWIN is on sale this days 2011. A true historic building with almost authentic 1950/60's with characteristic interior, I have ever seen. Large living room with historic paintings and everywhere Safari trophy s of wild animals and for sure a mahogany built wonderful authentic Cigar smoker Longue. and and.....
By entering one feels like to be transformed 60 years back. One can almost physically feel the spirit of the wealthy upperclass family s lifestyle of this years. When Erwins widow past away and the in Brazil living son Willy invited me, I have had the luck to visit it a few times.
Personal Notice: ERNST