Horological Heraldry...

Advanced Search

Horological Heraldry…

Brad Smith

Total Posts: 182

Joined 12-02-2009

Sr. Member

Total Posts: 182

Joined 12-02-2009

Posted: 21 November 2009 11:38

...sort of. Many watch companies will repeat their logo throughout the watch, not only on the watch face, but also on the crown and clasp. I’ve found a few companies that shield-shaped logos, and though not proper heraldry, I thought it might be interesting to look at.

Victorinox is should be pretty well known, as its "arms" resemble those of Switzerland. Victorinox recently acquired Wenger, whose symbol is understandably similar.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/logo_Victorinox_2.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/wenger.jpg

Orient is a Japanese watch company that makes very nice entry-level mechanical watches.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/orientlogo.gif

Tag Heuer has been an official timer for sporting events in the past.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/tagheuerlogo2.jpg

To be continued…

Brad Smith

Total Posts: 182

Joined 12-02-2009

Sr. Member

Total Posts: 182

Joined 12-02-2009

Posted: 21 November 2009 11:41

Oris adopted a shield-shaped logo in 1985.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/oris-logo.jpg

To me, Debaufre has the logo that looks most like real heraldry, but I’m at a loss as to how to blazon it.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/debaufrecrest.jpg

Brad Smith

Total Posts: 182

Joined 12-02-2009

Sr. Member

Total Posts: 182

Joined 12-02-2009

Posted: 21 November 2009 11:42

Finally, I’d like to bring up "Geneva Waves". Some Swiss watches decorate the main rotor of the movement with a rippled effect known as "Geneva Waves", which represent the rippling of Lake Geneva. Some watch companies have decorated the face or case of diving watches with a wavy pattern. Both of these remind me of the roundel known as a fountain.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/genevawaves.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy65/chaos388/omegagenevawaves.jpg

I know that all of this is pretty tenuous. But I enjoyed collecting the images anyway to be continued…

Alexander Liptak

Total Posts: 846

Joined 06-06-2008

Sr. Member

Total Posts: 846

Joined 06-06-2008

Posted: 21 November 2009 22:01

I would think for Debaufre that one could simply state the solar system proper within a bordure and overall the base.

The first two with a cross are also easily heraldry, thought that is easy to do since they stole the Swiss arms.

I think Tag Heuer logo has a good shape, as it is reminiscent of a shield, but could be more a patch or something to the like.

Deer Sniper

Total Posts: 222

Joined 13-06-2008

Sr. Member

Total Posts: 222

Joined 13-06-2008

Posted: 21 November 2009 22:36

I am not sure weather the Swiss shield in Victorinox and Wenger’s logo/arms were stolen or used by government permission. Both companies have a long history of providing equipment to the Swiss government over 100 years and are quite proud of it. One claims to be the original Swiss army knife, and the other to be the official one. lol . anyway with the buyout I guess they are original and official. Also the Swiss government may own stock in these companies. I believe I heard that at one time.

Wikipedia states that products made by Victorinox and Wenger for government Issue carry the Swiss cross on a shield. The same products intended for sale to the general public carry the company logos.

Deer Sniper

Total Posts: 222

Joined 13-06-2008

Sr. Member

Total Posts: 222

Joined 13-06-2008

Posted: 21 November 2009 22:49

The tent and sleaping bag company Swiss Gear also uses the same logo as Wenger. And States that ther products are " From the maker of the Swiss Army Knife "

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/norinko/internet/logo.jpg

ninest123