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Coordinates: 46°11′34″N 6°08′01″E / 46.19284°N 6.13349°E / 46.19284; 6.13349
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46°11′34″N 6°08′01″E / 46.19284°N 6.13349°E / 46.19284; 6.13349

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Sicura SA
Company typePrivate
IndustryWatch manufacturing
Founded15 June 1939; 85 years ago (1939-06-15) (Joh. Gobber, Horlogerie)
2 May 1955; 69 years ago (1955-05-02) (Montres Sicura SA)
Defunct29 November 1993
(Renamed Breitling SA)
FateRenamed
SuccessorBreitling SA
Headquarters
Granges
,
Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Ernest Schneider (CEO)
ProductsWatches
Production output
1,000,000 (1975)
Number of employees
450 (1975)

Sicura SA (officially Montres Sicura SA) was a Swiss watch manufacturer based in Granges, Switzerland.[1]

Originally founded in 1938 and entered in the commercial register on 15 June 1939,[2][3] its early historical origins are relatively unknown, and it is not known whether Sicura manufactured watches before the company was registered with the Swiss Handelsregister on 2 May 1955 as Montres Sicura SA.[4] Initially, Sicura was headed and owned by Théodore Sfaellos before eventually being passed to his son-in-law Ernest Frédéric Schneider due to the former's passing in early 1960. Schneider was the backbone behind the company's success, following the latest trends but doing so with quality at a price point that was accessible,[5] enabling Sicura to maintain its competition with other watch brands.

During the quartz crisis in the 1970s, Schneider adapted to the use of the new watch technology by introducing its first quartz watch in 1977, enabling the company to survive the crisis whilst other major watch companies including Breitling went into administration. In April 1979, Schneider purchased the rights to the Breitling brand and due to its prestige and heritage, the Sicura brand was shelved and Schneider eventually changed the company name to Breitling SA in November 1993. The present-day Breitling SA company is therefore the legal successor to Sicura SA. However, the brands remained separate in both build and quality and neither Sicura or the present Breitling SA is a continuation of the defunct family-owned firm that closed in 1979.

History

[edit]
Sicura logo as it appears on some watch dials.

Sicura SA has several different foundation dates: 1938, 1939 and 1955. Published material by Sicura in the 1970s suggested that 1938 was the foundation date of the company whereas some technical records give the date of 15 June 1939.[2][3]

When the company first appeared in the Swiss Handelsregister on 2 May 1955 it was owned and headed by Théodore Sfaellos. However, his death in early 1960 meant that Sicura would soon be taken over by his son-in-law Ernest Schneider who remained as the head of the company during its existence as Sicura SA and in its transition to Breitling SA.

Sicura in 1974 introduced the Sicura Volta which was the first mechanical wristwatch produced with a separate electrical system for back-lighting.[6]

By 1975, Sicura had four watch assembly factories located in Grenchen, Bonfol, Salvan and Melano with a case factory in Boudry and a jewel factory in Salvan Martigny.[2] In 1977 Sicura began producing its first quartz watches and in April 1979, Ernest Schneider purchased the Breitling and Navitimer brands and several watch models from Willy Breitling.[7][8] Ernest Schneider eventually changed the company name, Montres Sicura AG, to Breitling AG on 29 November, 1993.

Models

[edit]

Sicura produced a variety of watches with quartz, solar, and mechanical movements.

Aquanaut

[edit]
A Sicura Sport (906132) produced in the early 1970s featuring a similar body and design as the Aquanaut.

The Aquanaut series first appeared in the Chronosport catalogue, 1968. It included three types: Sailor, Rally and Diver with 17 jewel mechanical movements. Each watch is super waterproof (400 vacuum tested) and shock protected.[9]

The Aquanaut Sailor has a 0-60 minute rotating bezel with 5, 10 and 15 minute contrasting coloured zones for yacht racing. The bottom crown locks the rotating bezel in place and has an inner 24 bezel in midnight blue. A black low reflection dial with luminous hands and markers, orange sweep second hand and has an automatic calendar.[9] The Aquanaut Rally has an automatic calendar, internal 24 hour scale bezel, low reflection dial, luminous hands and markers and a sweep second hand. Like the Sailor, the bottom crown is used for keeping the bezel in place after adjustment. 0-60 and 12 hour scales are used recording elapsed time or setting up two world time zones in conjunction with the mail dial.[9] The Aquanaut Diver was designed for underwater use; the inner 24 scale bezel changes colour from midnight blue to black as you dive. Like the two previous Aquanaut models, the bottom crown is used for locking the 0-60 minute rotating bezel. The dial is low reflection, luminous hands and dial with an automatic calendar.[9]

In 1969, Sicura introduced two additional Aquanaut models: the Aquanaut-Auto and a new Aquanaut Rally. Using the same design and body, the new models featured an automatic self-winding movement instead of a mechanical one used in the earlier series.[10] The Aquanaut Auto features an automatic calendar and a rotating bezel with 0-60 minute and 0-12 hour calibrations which enables the watch to display two world time zones simultaneously. The bezel is locked with the bottom crown and also includes 5, 10 and 15 minute coloured segments for use in Yacht racing. The dial includes a 24-hour internal bezel, luminous hands and markers.[10] Like the Auto, the new Aquanaut 'Auto' Rally includes a 24 hour inner bezel, a 12 hour scale, and a 0-60 rotating bezel but without the coloured segments.[10]

Digital

[edit]

Sicura introduced its Digital range in 1975 which included various direct-time watches featuring 17 jewel mechanical and automatic movements. These included the Digital D500, Digistar, Digital Auto and Hunter whereas the ladies Digital range included the Orchidee and Regal. All watches in the Digital range use a 'jump hour' display in which rotating discs depict the hours and minute.

Volta

[edit]

In 1974, Sicura introduced the Volta which was the first mechanical wristwatch produced with a separate electrical system for back-lighting.[11] The early 1974 models were labelled ‘Electric’ on the dial whereas later models from 1975 were labelled 'Instalite'.[12] All Volta's appeared in polished or brushed chrome using 17 jewel mechanical movements and were shock protected. The back-lighting was activated by the top crown while the bottom crown was for adjusting the time. The case includes three apertures at the top which which the light shines through while displaying the dial. A single bulb covers all three apertures powered by two 357 batteries.

Digital D500

[edit]

The most popular and well known of Sicura's watches, the Digital D500 uses a Baumgartner BFG Caliber 866 mechanical movement displaying direct time with rotating discs labelled with the numbers and minutes. A small red-white propeller turns continuously when the watch has been wound. The D500 was available in various colours depending on country including a chrome or gold-plated case with blue, red or gold dial. The chrome case would display a blue dial or red dial face whilst the gold-plated case appeared only in gold. In addition to the direct-time rotating disc, it has an automatic calendar and a rotating propeller. The watch is shock protected waterproof and has a stainless steel back which displays the famous Sicura coat of arms.

Sports

[edit]

Sicura boasted a large collection of various Sports watches for different purposes including diving, rally and yacht racing.

Divers

[edit]

Sicura produced various diver watches. While some were simply named 'Sicura', the company used names such as Submarine, Quartermaster and Navy.

Chronograph

[edit]

Sicura designed various chrono watches.

MG Commemorative Chronograph

[edit]

In 1975, Sicura

Model Jewels Movement Information/Features
Submarine 17-25 Mechanical, Automatic Water resistant, 400M vacuum tested, luminous dial.
Quartermaster 23 Mechanical Superwaterproof, 400 vacuum tested, luminous dial.
Globetrotter 23 EB8800 Mechanical Superwaterresistant.
Execution De Luxe 23 Mechanical Superwaterproof.
Chrono Formula 1 929132 17 Mechanical Tachymeter, Chronometer Shock Protected.
Pilot 930932 17 Valjoux 7734 Mechanical 1/5th second timing by centre second hand, Incabloc, Calender, Chronometer, luminous dial.
Marine-Star 17 Ronda-Matic 1238-21 Automatic Incabloc, Waterresistant 600 Feet.
Pilot 930932 17 Valjoux 7734 Mechanical Incabloc, Calender, Chronometer, luminous dial.
Ambassador 999293 n/a Dynatron Electronic Gold Plated.
Ambassador 999143 n/a Dynatron Electronic Chrome.
Mini Ambassador 931293 n/a Dynatron Electronic Ladies, Gold Plated.
Mini Ambassador 931144 n/a Dynatron Electronic Ladies, Chrome.
906132 17 Mechanical Part of the Sicura Sports range. Chrome, Calender, External rotating locing bezel, Superwateerproof, luminous dial.
9116 17 Mechanical Part of the Sicura Sports range. Chronometer.[13]
'Time/Distance/Speed' 21 Mechanical Introduced by Chronosport for the June issue Motor Sport magazine, 1970. Includes all calibrations for time/distance/speed calculations, two exterior outer bezels, internal 0-60 minute bezel, automatic calendar, luminous dial, waterproof, shockprotected.[14]
Marine Chrono 17 EB8800 Mechanical Introduced by Chronosport for the June issue Motor Sport magazine, 1970. 0-60 minute elapsed time rotating bezel, inner 24 hour G.M.T. bezel, push-button flyback minute recording hand, luminous dial, separate continuous seconds dial. Shockprotected, waterproof to 200m.[14]
Aquanaut Sailor 17 Mechanical From the Chronosport catalogue, 1968. 0-60 minute rotating bezel with 5, 10 and 15 minute contrasting coloured zones for yacht racing. Special locking device on bezel operated by bottom crown. Inner 24 bezel in midnight blue. Black low reflection dial with luminous hands and markers, and orange sweep second hand. Shockprotected movement, Superwaterproof to 400m vacuum tested, automatic calender.
Aquanaut Rally 17 Mechanical From the Chronosport catalogue, 1968. Automatic calender, internal 24 hour scale bezel, low reflection dial, luminous hands and markers and a sweep second hand. Special locking device on bezel operated by bottom crown. 0-60 and 12 hour scales for recording elapsed time or setting up two world time zones in conjunction with mail dial. Superwaterproof and shock resistant.
Aquanaut Diver 17 Mechanical From the Chronosport catalogue, 1968.
DOOBY n/a Dynatron Electronic Chrome.
DOOBY n/a Dynatron Electronic Chrome.
DOOBY n/a Dynatron Electronic Chrome.

table idea:

- Name, Date Introduced, Features, Movement (digital, mechanical, automatic etc), additional information? e.g. MG watch

  • Sicura coat of arms version 1 as it appears on the back of some mechanical watches.
    Sicura coat of arms version 1 as it appears on the back of some mechanical watches.
  • Sicura coat of arms version 2 as it appears on the back of some mechanical watches.
    Sicura coat of arms version 2 as it appears on the back of some mechanical watches.

Relationship with Breitling

[edit]
A Breitling Navitimer watch. Ernest Schneider purchased the rights to the Breitling and Navitimer brands in April 1979 and were briefly produced under Sicura SA.

The relationship between Sicura and Breitling is complex and often misunderstood. While Sicura is technically the legal predecessor to the present-day Breitling SA company, the former Breitling company headed by Willy Breitling ceased to exist after its assets, including the brand, was sold to several watch manufacturers; Sicura under Schneider purchased the Breitling and Navitimer brand as well as several watch models.[16] Therefore, in some respects, the present-day Breitling company is a spiritual successor to the former family-owned company. However, they remain and have been legally separate companies. This is observed in the technical records of Breitling SA which gives the foundation date of Sicura as opposed to its foundation date of 1884 advertised by Breitling.

After 1979, Breitling-branded watches were briefly produced under Sicura AG before the company was renamed and the Sicura brand was phased-out. Contrary to popular belief, Sicura and Breitling watches were separate in both quality and construction and the only link between the two brands is due to being produced under the same company. Montres Sicura SA (Sicura Uhren AG) (Sicura Watch Company Ltd) are listed as former names of Breitling AG in the Zefix Central Business Name Index.[17] As a result of the convoluted relationship between the two brands, it has led to Sicura branded watches being falsely advertised in vintage auctions as "Sicura by Breitling" or combined as "Sicura Breitling" despite the former producing the latter.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ernest Schneider has passed away". Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FA. Switzerland. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Sicura Swiss Watches, Brochure" (PDF). Sicura. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Breitling AG". moneyhouse. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  4. ^ "BREITLING AG- SCHLACHTHAUSSTRASSE 2 GRENCHEN, 2540". kompany. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Five Brands You Need To Know From The Early Days Of Sport Diving". Hodinkee Shop. H Shop. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019. Sicura, a brand known for following the trends, but doing so with quality at a price point that was accessible.
  6. ^ Ben Branch. "THE SICURA INSTALITE". Silodrome. Solidrome Gasoline Culture Magazine. Retrieved 4 November 2019. The Sicura Instalite is a watch with an interesting history behind it – it's the first mechanical wristwatch ever made with a separate electrical system for backlighting.
  7. ^ Lancaster, Ambrose (5 April 2017). "Breitling". Time Transformed. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Since 1884: The Breitling Story". Breitling. Breitling. Retrieved 31 October 2019. In April 1979, shortly before his death, he sold the remaining assets along with the familiar brand names and the well-established watch models, including his beloved Navitimer, to the visionary entrepreneur Ernest Schneider
  9. ^ a b c d "Chronosport Special Watches". Chronosport Special Watches. Online: P.T. Barnard & Associates. 1968. p. 7. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  10. ^ a b c "Chronosport Special Watches". Chronosport Special Watches. Online: P.T. Barnard & Associates. 1969. p. 8. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  11. ^ Ben Branch. "THE SICURA INSTALITE". Silodrome. Solidrome Gasoline Culture Magazine. Retrieved 4 November 2019. The Sicura Instalite is a watch with an interesting history behind it – it's the first mechanical wristwatch ever made with a separate electrical system for backlighting.
  12. ^ "Sicura Electric/Instalite Direct Time 1974". 70s Watches. 70s Watches. Retrieved 22 December 2019. Early ones were labelled 'Electric' and later ones 'Instalite'.
  13. ^ "MotorSport". MotorSport. Online: Motor Sport Magazine. June 1970. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  14. ^ a b "MotorSport". MotorSport. Online: Motor Sport Magazine. June 1970. p. 117. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  15. ^ "Sicura VIP 2000 Watches. Original Advert 1977. (ref AD7654)". The Nostalgia Shop.
  16. ^ ""Sicura by Breitling" a myth and a fairytale". Vintage Breitling. Vintage Breitling. Retrieved 19 December 2019. Mr Schneider bought all the trademarks as he felt they were valuable and he passed on all the hardware and inventory as he already had machinery in his Sicura factory
  17. ^ "Breitling AG". Zefix. Zefix. Retrieved 21 December 2019. earlier version: Montres Sicura SA (Sicura Uhren AG) (Sicura Watch Company Ltd)

Pilots

[edit]
  This background, along with the symbol "†", indicates that the pilot was killed in action, missing in action, died of wounds, or was killed in a flying accident during World War II.
  This background indicates that information on this pilot is scarce and details of their affiliation with the Shinten Seikutai is severely limited or unknown.
Name Unit Status Notes
Cpl. Yoshio Mita † 2nd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed Lt. Sam Wagner’s B-29 "Lucky Irish" (42‑24622) from the 870th Bomber Squadron/497th Bombardment Group.
Cpl. Minoru Iriyama † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased KIA
Sgt. Masami Yuki † 2nd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed the B-29 "Miss Behavin'" (42-24655) of the 497th Bombardment Group.
Sgt Maj. Kiyoshi Suzuki † 2nd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed Capt. Raymond Otto Dauth's B-29 "Shady Lady" (42-24619) of the 870th Bomber Squadron, 497th Bombardment Group.
Sgt. Goro Imai † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased KIA
Sgt. Shigeo Iioka † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased KIA
Cpl. Hisashi Tagami † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased KIA
MSgt. Isamu Sakamoto 2nd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Rammed an unknown B-29.
Sgt. Masami Sawamoto † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed Maj. Robert Goldsworthy's B-29 "Rosalia Rocket"[n] (42-24656 or "Z-1").
Cpl. Matsumi Nakano 5th Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed Lt. Charles Fetter’s B-29 "T-10" (42-24735) of the 873rd Bomber Squadron/498th Bombardment Group.
Lt. Toru Shinomiya † 5th Shinten Seikutai Survived Rammed an unknown B-29.
Sgt. Masao Itagaki 5th Shinten Seikutai Survived Successfully rammed Lt. Donald Dufford's B-29 "Long Distance" (42-24544) of the 875th Bombardment Squadron/498th Bombardment Group.
MSgt. Takeo Yoshida † 5th Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed Maj. John E. Krause with his B-29 "Uncle Tom's Cabin No. 2" (42-24642) of the 498th Bombardment Group.
2Lt. Yasuo Watanabe † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed Maj. John E. Krause with his B-29 "Uncle Tom's Cabin No. 2" (42-24642) of the 498th Bombardment Group.
Cpl. Kenji Yamada † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Successfully rammed 1Lt. Martin Nicholson's B-29 "SUPER Wabbit" (42-65222) of the 499th Bombardment Group.
2Lt. Miosaburo Yamamoto † 1st Kaiten Tai Deceased Successfully rammed 1Lt. Robert J Anderson's B-29 "Gonna Mak'er" (42-65231) of the 497th Bombardment Group.
Sgt Maj. Tsutomo Murata † 1st Kaiten Tai Deceased Successfully rammed 1st Lt. James W. McKillip's B-29 "Empire Express" (42-63549) of the 505th Bombardment Group.
Sgt. Ryoichi Kaneko † 1st Kaiten Tai Deceased KIA.
Sgt. Minoru Aoki † 1st Kaiten Tai Deceased KIA. (Japanese_Army_Air_Force_Units_and_Their aces book, casualty list)
2Lt. Shoichi Takayama † 5th Shinten Seikutai Deceased Succesfully rammed a B-29.
2Lt. Mitsuyuki Tange † 5th Shinten Seikutai Deceased Succesfully rammed a B-29.
1Lt. Mitsuo Oyake 6th Shinten Seikutai Survived Successfully rammed a B-29.
2Lt. Tetsuro Aoki 3rd Shinten Seikutai Survived Commander of the 53rd Hiko Sentai's 3rd Shinten Seikutai from .
Lt. Kunio Sugawara † 3rd Shinten Seikutai Deceased Killed in an accident when his Ki-45 encountered engine problems during a night time patrol and crashed, 3 January 1945.
Cpl. Tadashe Abe 5th Shinten Seikutai Unknown Unknown.
Takayoshi Nagasaki 2nd Shinten Seikutai Unknown Unknown.
Noboru Okuda 2nd Shinten Seikutai Unknown Unknown.
Suguru Suzuki 2nd Shinten Seikutai Unknown Unknown.https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Photo_with_members_of_the_47th_Hiko_Sentai%27s_ramming_division_and_supervisors.png
Sgt. Endo Chozo 5th Shinten Seikutai Unknown Unknown.http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~s244f/sinten.htm
Captain Tetsuo Sasaki 5th Shinten Seikutai Unknown Unknown.http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~s244f/sinten.htm
Ensign Katsumi Yorita 5th Shinten Seikutai Unknown Unknown.http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~s244f/sinten.htm

Category:Military units and formations of the Luftwaffe Category:Military units and formations established in 1945 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945

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