WATCH ASHTRAY RODANIA CA. 1960

Here we present a rare ashtray by Rodania.

The Rodania adventure began in 1930, in Grenchen, in the heart of the Swiss Jura mountains. From the outset, the brand has been part of the great tradition of Swiss watchmaking, producing mechanical watches that are reliable, precise and elegant.

In the 1950s, Rodania experienced strong growth. In 1951, it moved to Belgium, a decisive turning point since this subsidiary would play a key role in the brand's future history.

It was also at this time that Rodania launched one of its most legendary models: the Geometer Chronograph (1954). Equipped with the famous Valjoux 72 caliber, this chronograph rivals the great Swiss houses. Today, it is highly sought-after by collectors for its rarity and exceptional precision. In fact, it came out three years before the Omega Speedmaster, making it a pioneering model.

In the 1960s, Rodania diversified its ranges and began producing technical watches. Models were designed for extreme environments, including diving watches such as the Waterman and Aquaseal 333, with their excellent water-resistance, perfect for water sports enthusiasts.

In 1967, the brand innovated with the Hydrolastic, an automatic watch equipped with a unique shock-absorbing suspension system. This innovation illustrates Rodania's spirit of technical experimentation at a time when the Swiss watchmaking industry was seeking to push back the limits of robustness.

It was also during this decade that the Poltimer was designed, a robust and resistant watch selected for the Belgian expedition to Antarctica. It became a symbol of reliability in extreme conditions.

Like many other Swiss watchmakers, Rodania was hit hard by the quartz crisis of the 1970s. The company had to reinvent itself to cope with competition from Asia and falling demand for mechanical watches. During this period, it launched the World Star model (1974), which combined modern design and robustness, becoming one of the brand's mainstays in the following decades.

Over time, the Belgian subsidiary, run by the Weil family, took over the reins of the brand. In the 1990's, it officially acquired Rodania, making the company a fully-fledged Belgian brand, while retaining its Swiss heritage.

This plastic laminate is in fair condition, with a few signs of use. Collector.

Manufacturer: Ornamin
Model: 4130
Reference: N/A
Year: Circa 1960
Materials: Plastic
Dimensions: Length 13.2 cm Width 13.2 cm Height 2 cm
Box/paper: no