====== Xantia ======
**Xantia** is a Swiss private-label watch maker in operation since [[1962]].

===== History =====
Founded in [[1962]] in [[Evilard]] by Edmund Knutti, Xantia was one of many mass-market watch producers in the [[Bienne]] area. The company produced [[Roskopf]] watches and was a member of the [[Roskopf Association]] by [[1967]]. By [[1975]], Xantia had become the distributor of [[Quasar]] and [[Armitron]] [[LED]] watches. The company was also actively creating new [[LCD]] [[digital watch]] designs in the late 1970s, including an early electronic [[chronograph]].

In [[1982]], Xantia acquired the [[Hebdomas]] trademark and design from [[Schild & Co]]. This legendary [[8-day]] movement had a massive mainspring barrel covering the entire 15 to 19 ligne movement and an exposed balance on the dial side with a distinctive decorative carved bridge. In production since [[1913]], Xantia would produce various Hebdomas watches through the 1990s.

Xantia was converted to a joint stock company in [[1983]] and re-focused on private-label watch manufacturing. It was acquired by employee Michel Thiévent in [[1989]] and moved to [[Bienne]] in [[1993]]. Most of Xantia's designs in this period resembled popular models from well-known brands and remained in the less-expensive fashion watch range. One important product was a special [[coin watch]] featuring the image of William Tell, produced to celebrate 700 years of the Swiss Confederation. As early as 1993, Xantia produced and represented [[Anne Klein]] watches. Founder Knutti died in [[1998]].

In [[1990]], Xantia began producing watches for the American company, [[Swiss Army Brands]]. This company acquired Xantia in [[2000]] for $11.5 million, and production of [[Victorinox]] "Swiss Army" watches for the North American market intensified. In July [[2001]], Victorinox merged with Swiss Army brands, creating a new company called Victorinox/Swiss Army. Annual production of Swiss Army brand watches had reached nearly a million units by this point.

Jean-Pierre Loetscher, an employee since [[1994]], arranged a management buyout of Xantia in [[2006]], with the Swiss Army brand remaining in the hands of Victorinox. Loetscher had been responsible for private label watches and continued the company's focus in this area.


{{tag>Watch_brands_Switzerland Biel-Bienne}}