Grana

[JamesB]

https://granawatchco.com/  They are back.... and better than before. Grana changed it's name to Certina after WW2.  They were just reinvented and certified by the Swiss Government.  

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[Harwey]

Nice, thanks for sharing. 

[JamesB]

You are welcome, Harwey.  If you happen to see or hear of any new military style or designed watches, please keep me in mind. Thank you. 

[Vit]

Hi JamesB,
it is very interesting topic for me (owner of two Certinas).

Some conclusion from AI:

Is there any connection between Certina and Grana Watches?

Yes — the connection is direct and fundamental: Grana is essentially the original brand name that later became Certina.

The short answer

• Grana = early brand name (from 1906)

• Certina = successor brand name (officially from 1939 onward)

What actually happened

The company founded by the Kurth brothers in 1888 began selling watches under the name “Grana” in 1906, derived from Granacus (the Latin name for Grenchen).

In the 1930s, they started introducing the name Certina, and in 1939 it was officially registered.

From that point:

• Both names briefly coexisted (Grana often for higher-end pieces, Certina for broader markets)

• Over time, Certina replaced Grana entirely, and by the early 1950s the Grana name disappeared

Why the change?

The shift to Certina was strategic:

• easier to pronounce internationally

• derived from Latin certus = “reliable / certain”

• better suited for global expansion and branding

What this means for watches today

• A Grana watch is essentially an early Certina watch

• Some Grana pieces (e.g. WWII-era “Dirty Dozen”) are highly collectible because they predate the Certina branding

• Movements and manufacturing lineage are the same company

---

Bottom line

There is no separate “Grana company” in the modern sense—
Grana is the historical predecessor of Certina, not an independent brand.

If you want, I can map specific Grana models to their Certina-era equivalents or explain where the most valuable Grana pieces sit in today’s collector market.

[JamesB]

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!. 

Upraveno 19. března uživatelem JamesB

[Vit]

Many thanks for the very interesting conclusion.
It is much clearer to me now.

Do you have any connection with this brand?

[JamesB]

The original military issued Grana watches during WW2 are the rarest of the Dirty Dozen Watches. I like how they look, design, function and the history behind it. I'm pleased to see that Société des Montres West End SA is helping protect, cherish and revisiting this watch and the original company's history.  More European watch makers should do this... instead of making 40 different models of the same watch in different colors and precious medals. I enjoy reading and digesting history on many watches used by service members during the last century.  Thanks for sharing.