Since its inception, red has stood as the iconic colour of the MONDAINE brand. It’s the pop of colour in our design, highlights our rich history and heritage, and even mirrors the presence of red in the Swiss flag. 

As you step onto any Swiss station platform, in the middle of all the busy activity, the countdown is evident: from afar, you can discern the 45 seconds remaining until the hand reaches twelve, marking the departure of the train. This iconic feature of Swiss railway station clocks has stood as a design staple for decades. The choice of red for the second hand of the Swiss railway station clocks holds deep significance rooted in functionality and tradition. Originally utilised in various signaling systems across different sectors, including shooting ranges, air traffic control, and maritime communication, red emerged as a universal symbol of alertness and caution. In the context of railway operations, red signified a crucial message: stop. Hans Hilfiker's design ingeniously incorporated this historical association, ensuring that railway passengers were not only informed of the time but also compelled to pause and reflect in a moment of stillness. With the red second hand fixed in place, the train remained safely stationed until the designated departure time. Thus, the red hue of the second hand transcends mere aesthetics, embodying a legacy of functionality, safety, and the timeless elegance of Swiss craftsmanship.

In 1944, Hans Hilfiker, a visionary at SBB, crafted the SBB station clock, with its iconic red second hand resembling the trowel of station dispatchers. This design prioritised readability and legibility, essential for both passengers and station staff. In 1986, this design seamlessly transitioned from the station platform to the wrist, as MONDAINE introduced the first Official Swiss Railways Station wristwatch. 

From the station to the wrist, the journey of the iconic design symbolises the fusion of heritage and creativity. Simplistic yet bold, the design originated as a necessity for Swiss Railway Stations, later evolving into a design legend from Switzerland. MONDAINE's commitment to preserving this heritage is evident in every timepiece, where tradition meets modernity seamlessly.

Red, beyond being our brand colour, symbolises vitality, attention, and rejuvenation. It's a hue that energises and captivates, reflecting our commitment to dynamism and innovation. With every tick of a MONDAINE timepiece, feel empowered to seize the day and make a statement with boldness and confidence.

Embracing sustainability, MONDAINE offers a versatile collection of watches with an interchangeable strap system allowing you to create multiple unique looks without having to invest in several watches. With a quick and easy strap change, you can easily change the style of your watch, transitioning for instance from a colourful textile strap to a more classic Milanese mesh stainless steel strap. Also, our interchangeable strap system makes it easy to replace the strap in a few moments which helps to increase its longevity. MONDAINE is committed to producing watches in the most sustainable way possible by doing both, offering timeless and high-quality watches, and by using sustainable materials and production processes. We offer straps in a variety of sustainable materials. Some are made from vegan leather, using waste products of the wine making process to produce a high-quality plant-based leather. Our textile straps are made from recycled plastic bottles and have a comfortable inner cork lining. All our watches are hand-assembled in our Swiss factory. 

MONDAINE is committed to protecting and preserving the planet for generations to come. Since 2020, it is one of the world’s first comprehensively CO2-neutral brands (scopes 1, 2, and 3 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol) thanks to its efforts over the past decades implementing the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. MONDAINE only uses vegan straps and produces all their watches with green energy, 80% coming from its own photovoltaic solar power system.

With MONDAINE, embrace the power of red, a symbol of heritage, innovation, and sustainability. Join us in powering up with red and making a bold statement, one tick at a time. Experience the timeless elegance and precision of MONDAINE timepieces, where every moment counts and every tick tells a story of Swiss craftsmanship at its finest.

Check out the Mondaine Watch collection here.