rdath, the distinguished Swiss watchmaker founded in 1934 in Geneva, has just unveiled its reimagined Long Distance collection, a tribute to one of horology’s first dual-time complications and a bold statement for today’s globally connected world.

Founded in 1934 by Monsieur Edmond Dreyfus in Geneva, Ardath began as a vision to craft elegantly unique Swiss timepieces that would stand the test of time. Through artistic sophistication and authentic craftsmanship, the brand rapidly achieved recognition among top Swiss manufacturers, gaining international acclaim for its innovative designs tailored to diverse markets. Following Mr. Dreyfus’s passing in 1954, his daughter Mrs. Paulette Dreyfus assumed leadership, recruiting industry luminaries Mr. Enrico Mottironi and Mr. Fredy Zaugg, whose synergy propelled the brand to new heights. The 1960s marked Ardath’s golden era with groundbreaking innovations including the “Long Distance”, one of the first dual-time watches in horological history and the crown jewel of the collection.

From inception, every Ardath timepiece has been crafted in Switzerland, guided by our founding values of uncompromising quality, meticulous attention to detail, profound love for craftsmanship, and boundless creativity, ensuring each watch remains a testament to horological heritage and timeless elegance.

In 2025, under the leadership of Mr. Cristian Starvaggi, a longtime confidant of the Mottironi family with a deep passion for vintage dual-time watches, Ardath unveils a reimagined “Long Distance” after five years of development.

The original reference 14161 holds a distinguished place in horological history as one of the first partially automatic dual-time watches. This groundbreaking 1962 timepiece inspired numerous luxury brands, ultimately establishing the dual-time complication as one of the most sought-after features in fine watchmaking during the 1960s and 1970s.

The latest collection pays homage to its pioneering predecessor while offering a complete reimagination of both design and functionality. In an era where digital solutions for tracking multiple time zones abound, Long Distance transcends mere utility. It embodies a deeper philosophy rooted in the emotional and geographical concept of dualism that resonates profoundly with our increasingly interconnected global society.

Both the Ref. LX292 and BL667 are powered by twin Sellita SW-100 automatic movements, the most compact Swiss automatic on the market, enhanced with Ardath’s proprietary in-house “city display” complication that allows selection and display of city names corresponding to the indicated time, featuring Elaboré grade with 28,800 vph, 25 jewels, 42- hour power reserve, and decorative finishing including Geneva stripes and circular graining.

Housed in a 316L stainless steel case with polished and brushed finishes, the timepieces are protected by sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and showcase a sapphire exhibition case-back, offering 50m water resistance. Both watches feature a custom-engineered tri-element strap structure with a stainless steel central component connecting the two cases, hand-wrapped in premium full-grain Italian calfskin from a boutique Italian atelier, with a buckle design that mirrors the case lugs for aesthetic continuity.

Ardath’s Long Distance collection features a bold dual-case design that splits the traditional single case into two distinct entities: the primary case grounds you in your present location while the secondary case connects you to your emotional center, whether that’s your hometown, where loved ones are, or a professionally significant place. Reinforcing this connection, a single dial face is artfully divided between the two cases, with the upper case displaying indexes from 9 to 3 and the lower case showing 3 to 9, creating a powerful metaphor for how separate aspects of our lives form a cohesive whole.

The watch celebrates mechanical craftsmanship through unique design elements like a seconds hand that resembles a gear from the movement and a satin finish that reduces mirror effects for improved legibility in low light. The in-house modified movement features city display windows in each dial, showcasing a curated selection of emotionally significant cities alongside “LT” (Local Time) and “HT” (Home Time) symbols for enhanced flexibility, a practical approach inspired by the pioneering 1962 model.

Production limited to 300 individually numbered pieces per reference worldwide. For those who wander, those who curate, and those who cherish what matters most this is a timepiece that honors the journey. Its rich history, unique design, and exceptional Swiss quality bring both character and horological significance to any collection. A timepiece worthy of those who seek distinction in craftsmanship and meaning in what they wear.