Hey Vit... yes, I know a lot of the information you've posted. Yet unfortunately Certina and Swatch Group have no play in what Grana is doing now.
The Grana Watch Company (operating as GRANA Watch Switzerland via granawatchco.com) is currently owned by Société des Montres West End SA, an independent Swiss watchmaking company with its own workshops based in Leytron, in the Swiss Alps.This is directly stated on their official history page: "Grana is now owned by Société des Montres West End SA, an independent Swiss watchmaking company with its own workshops based in Leytron, in the Swiss Alps."The brand draws on the legacy of the original Grana (founded in 1888 by Adolf and Alfred Kurth in Grenchen, Switzerland, known for producing one of the "Dirty Dozen" WWII military watches for the British Army). The modern iteration appears to be a revival or continuation under this new ownership, focusing on automatic field-style watches inspired by that history (e.g., models like the GRANA Black Original, priced around $1,875 USD).Regarding licensing: There is no mention of it being licensed under another entity, brand, or trademark holder. The site presents it as directly owned by Société des Montres West End SA, with no references to licensing agreements, external trademark permissions, or third-party operators. Historical trademarks for "Grana" date back over a century (around 1898–1899 under Kurth Frères), but the original brand faded after the mid-20th century (as the company shifted to Certina, now part of Swatch Group). The current operation seems to have acquired or revived the name independently, without indications of it being a licensed revival (unlike some other heritage brands). No USPTO or other trademark disputes/owners are evident in public sources tied to the modern company.
Yes, there is a historical relationship between the original Grana and Certina, but no current connection exists with the modern Grana Watch Company (granawatchco.com), and Swatch Group owns no part of it.The original Grana brand was founded in 1888 by brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth in Grenchen, Switzerland (initially as Kurth Frères SA, producing movements and parts before making complete watches under "Grana" starting around 1906—derived from "Granacus," the Latin for Grenchen). The company later registered "Certina" in 1924 (from Latin "certus," meaning sure/reliable), which gradually became the dominant brand. By the early 1950s, Grana was phased out entirely, and the company renamed itself Certina-focused (e.g., Certina, Kurth Frères SA in 1955). Certina joined larger consolidations (General Watch Co. in 1971, then SMH in 1983, which became Swatch Group in 1998), and remains a Swatch Group brand today, specializing in sports watches.The modern Grana revival draws on this heritage—especially the "Dirty Dozen" WWII military watches produced by the original Grana (around 1,500 units for the British Army in 1945)—but it is a separate entity. Their official history page states: "Grana is now owned by Société des Montres West End SA, an independent Swiss watchmaking company with its own workshops based in Leytron, in the Swiss Alps." There is no mention of Certina, licensing from Swatch Group, or any ongoing ties.Société des Montres West End SA operates independently (linked to the long-established West End Watch Co., family-owned under the Monnat family since around 2001, focused on durable Swiss watches). No sources indicate Swatch Group ownership, investment, or control over West End SA or the revived Grana—it's explicitly described as independent.In short:
Historical link: Original Grana → evolved into Certina (now Swatch Group-owned).
Current Grana: Separate revival under independent ownership—no Swatch Group involvement or ownership.
Thanks for your input Vit so people have a better understanding. Have a great week!.
