DeLaneau

DeLaneau (originally Delano) is a watch brand currently in Geneva but originally from Bienne.

Delano

Albert Kneuss established a wholesale business trading oils, soaps, and other goods in Bienne in 1933. Originally from Eggiwil, Kneuss lived in Bienne and maintained his office at Blumenstrasse 32.

In May 1949, Kneuss moved to Villeret to get into the watch business. He established a company called Alb. Kneuss with an office at Clos du Lac 11 in Bienne to manufacture, purchase, and sell watches. He worked with Fernand Kneuss, also from Eggiwil and perhaps his son. Kneuss registered the Akvil ("Albert Kneuss Villeret") and Delano brands in September of that year.

The business was successful during the post-war economic boom, and Kneuss created a public limited company called Delano Watch SA in Bienne on in 1954. The company was established for the purpose of the manufacture of watches, the purchase and sale of watches and similar articles. Share capital was 50,000 francs, and the company absorbed the former Alb. Kneuss company in Villeret, which had net assets of about that amount. The only member of the administration initially was Edmée Kneuss of Eggiwil, who lived in Bienne. The company named director Rolf Tschudin (from Waldenburg, of Grenchen) and was located at Quai du Bas 102.

The company increased share capital to 100,000 francs in 1956, with Edmée Kneuss appointed president of the board and Rolf Tschudin secretary and director. The company also registered the Tedmore brand at this time. In November of that year the company issued 50,000 francs of additional shares and made Fernand Kneuss (from Eggiwil, of Bienne) president, with Rolf Tschudin remaining secretary. Edmée Kneuss left the company at this time.

In 1957 the company registered the Montresor and Golden Globe brands.

The company moved to Rue de la Gare 16 in 1959.

Fernand Kneuss left the company in 1961 with Rolf Tschudin remaining the sole board member and director. His wife Yolande Janine Tschudin became secretary of the firm in 1966 with Rolf officially becoming president.

DeLaneau

In 1969 the company registered the DeLaneau brand name, and this officially became the name of the firm in 1972. The Delano brand was maintained, but DeLaneau was used through the 1970s.