Hercules

Reliable and robust luxury watches, originally made by Henzi & Pfaff and “reborn” in 2022, with the same principles in mind.

In 1953, an Austrian mountaineer called Hermann Buhl became the first one to reach the top of the Nanga Parbat (8’126M). 31 Men tried to do this before him but didn’t return, which gave the Nanga Parbat the nickname “Killer Mountain”. Hermann and the entire expedition crew were equipped with Hercules timepieces made by the watchmaking atelier Henzi & Pfaff. The watches proved to be reliable, robust, and precise timekeepers during their adventure. After none of the experimental clocks failed, Henzi & Pfaff successfully placed the proven reliability under extreme weather conditions at the centre of its advertising. This was reinforced by the presence of the distinctive brand Hercules, which conveyed strength and resistance. The successful ascent and the worldwide attention of the expedition were marketed effectively by Henzi & Pfaff. As a result, Henzi & Pfaff equipped further expeditions with watches and thus developed the image of a reliable, robust and at the same time sporty watch.

Each Hercules watch is assembled by hand, emphasizing the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into its production. To ensure accuracy and precision, the complete watch undergoes testing by Timelab in Switzerland to receive an official “Observatoire Chronométrique” certification. If the watch successfully passes this test, it earns the prestigious title of a “Chronometer,” signifying its exceptional timekeeping performance.