In the 1950s, a young visionary named Hans-Ulrich Klingenberg embarked on a mission to produce watches of timeless beauty and impeccable quality.
To realize this dream, he displayed extraordinary ingenuity and tenacity. One of his early breakthroughs was developing and patenting a revolutionary vacuum system in a monolithic watch case. This innovation ensured complete resistance to water, air, humidity, and dust—the greatest enemies of mechanical movements. He then began to commercialize this exclusive technology for various watch brands.
Driven by a relentless passion for horology, Klingenberg dedicated himself to creating the perfect watch.
His curiosity led him to believe that the secret to excellence lay in the choice of enduring materials. After extensive research and testing, one material stood out: sapphire.
Known for its scratch resistance and scoring 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire perfectly blends technology and craftsmanship, offering endless possibilities in shape, cut, and color similar to jewelry gems. The magical sapphire became the cornerstone of his designs.
Initially, he crafted watches for renowned Swiss brands before founding his own company in 1966: CENTURY TIME GEMS LTD. With this venture, he brought his unique watches to market, defining sapphire as CENTURY sapphire.
In 1979, always in pursuit of perfection, Klingenberg invented the Megalith system, ingeniously fusing two sapphire discs into a single, inseparable entity to create the watch case.
To realize this dream, he displayed extraordinary ingenuity and tenacity. One of his early breakthroughs was developing and patenting a revolutionary vacuum system in a monolithic watch case. This innovation ensured complete resistance to water, air, humidity, and dust—the greatest enemies of mechanical movements. He then began to commercialize this exclusive technology for various watch brands.
Driven by a relentless passion for horology, Klingenberg dedicated himself to creating the perfect watch.
His curiosity led him to believe that the secret to excellence lay in the choice of enduring materials. After extensive research and testing, one material stood out: sapphire.
Known for its scratch resistance and scoring 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire perfectly blends technology and craftsmanship, offering endless possibilities in shape, cut, and color similar to jewelry gems. The magical sapphire became the cornerstone of his designs.
Initially, he crafted watches for renowned Swiss brands before founding his own company in 1966: CENTURY TIME GEMS LTD. With this venture, he brought his unique watches to market, defining sapphire as CENTURY sapphire.
In 1979, always in pursuit of perfection, Klingenberg invented the Megalith system, ingeniously fusing two sapphire discs into a single, inseparable entity to create the watch case.
1959
VACUUM
1966
Foundation by Hans Ulrich Klingenberg inventor of the VACUUM and the MEGALITH concept
1977
THE SAPPHIRE COLLECTION
1979
Invention of the Megalith technic applied since then to CENTURY timepieces
1988
EMPIRE
Since 1993, Philip W.A. Klingenberg has joined the company, playing a significant role in steering the brand towards capturing the hearts of women while maintaining its appeal to men. He positioned the brand within a modern, luxurious, and romantic context.
In the year 2000, he inaugurated the first dedicated CENTURY boutique in Tokyo’s Ginza district in Japan.
1990
PRIME TIME
1993
Take over of the company
by Philip W.A. Klingenberg
(H.U.K son’s)
1995
Inauguration of new offices
in Nidau, CH
1999
DRAGON STONE
2000
Opening of first DOS, Tokyo, JP
Over the years, Century has introduced numerous new models to the international market, many of which remain integral to our collection today. Among these, the most iconic is undoubtedly the Wings of Time—a masterpiece that continues to define our legacy of innovation and timeless elegance. With this watch, passing time is transformed into a bird that takes flight every time the watch is viewed…
2004
GRACE
2005
LEELA
2009
PRIME TIME CHRONO
DAY & DATE
2010
ELEGANCE
2012
BOLERO
ELEGANCE CHRONO GMT
WINGS OF TIME
Driven by continuous in-house innovation and progress, Century has introduced numerous new models featuring bold new shapes and refined cuts. These advancements have allowed us to present exceptional variations of hand-cut sapphire cases—each one a testament to our craftsmanship. A shining example of this expertise is Virtuoso, our most intricate creation to date, boasting 224 hand-crafted facets. This extraordinary case is shaped using specialized equipment by our master watchmakers, embodying the pinnacle of precision and artistry.
2013
LEELA BLOSSOM
PRIMA DONNA
2014
AFFINITY
2016
AFFINITY RECTANGLE
VIRTUOSO
2017
ELEGANCE SKELETON
L’AVENUE
2018
PRIME TIME SKELETON
FIRST CLASS
TIARA
In our pursuit of bold elegance and technical mastery, Century has unveiled a captivating range of new creations. Among them, striking models with deep black PVD coatings—where mystery meets sophistication—bring a powerful, modern edge to our collection. We have also embraced transparency like never before, introducing timepieces with skeletonised dials that reveal the beating heart of the watch, showcasing the intricate mechanics within. And for those who demand the highest precision, we proudly present our certified chronometers—each one a symbol of excellence, tested and proven for flawless performance. These timepieces are not just watches; they are expressions of identity, of innovation, and of enduring beauty.
2019
PRIME TIME SKELETON
2020
MINI LEELA BLOSSOM
ELEGANCE MOONPHASE
2021
PRIME TIME
“NEW”
SKELETON
2023
PRIME TIME NEW COLORS
2024
AFFINITY BLACK
PRIME TIME BLACK
Affinity
Affinity Rectangular
Bolero
Dragon Stone
Elegance
First Class
L’Avenue
Leela Blossom
Prima Donna
Prime Time
Tiara
Virtuoso
Dragon Stone
Elegance
Prime Time