MONDAINE & Luminox – Two brands, one philosophy
The two brands not only share a location in Switzerland. Biberist, but also a shared attitude: design, precision, functionality and sustainability, yet their personalities could hardly be more different:
MONDAINE – Swiss time design in its purest form
Mondaine Watch Ltd. Since 1951, it has stood for iconic Swiss design and clear functionality. Founded by the Bernheim family, the brand became known worldwide through the official Swiss railway clock – with its distinctive red second hand, inspired by the original design by Hans Hilfiker (1944). Today it is a symbol of precision, punctuality and simplicity.
MONDAINE connects Minimalism, sustainability and Swiss-made quality – from classic quartz and automatic models to modern lines like the essence collection made from bio-based materials.
As part of the Mondaine Group, the company is considered a pioneer in CO₂-neutral watchmaking – authentic, durable, and unmistakably Swiss. The entire group, every brand, and every product is comprehensively CO₂-neutral, but more on that later.
Luminox – Light that never goes out
Luminox was founded in the USA in 1989 and today – as part of the Mondaine Watch Group – stands for uncompromising Tactical and adventure watches with Swiss precision.
The brand became famous through its collaboration with the US Navy SEALs, for which they developed extremely robust watches that were legible under all conditions. Today, the product range includes the following lines: Sea, Air and Land, each optimized for its respective area of application.
One of the key features of every Luminox is the Luminox Light Technology (LLT) – Tiny glass tubes filled with tritium gas that guarantee a permanent luminosity for up to 25 years – without an external energy source.
Sustainability is also a key focus at Luminox: durable materials, resource-saving production and a design that emphasizes longevity rather than interchangeability.
A visit to Biberist – Where light, precision and sustainability are created
Even the first impression upon entering the watchmaking factory speaks of functionality and thoughtful design. The modern building in the small industrial park appears bright and open – large window fronts reveal that something is being created here that requires light.
You are welcomed on the first floor, with a view through a floor-to-ceiling glass front onto the expansive warehouse area, order picking, and shipping. The most interesting part is... flexible warehousing – a flexible, digitally controlled system without fixed storage locations. Each item is stored wherever there is space – the system knows exactly where every part is located.
@Photo-Credit: INSIGHT LUXURY
The actual watchmaking production is located right next to the warehouse, where traditional watchmaking meets modern manufacturing processes.
André Bernheim, Mondaine Group:
“During the construction and planning of our production facility, we also consulted experts from the automotive industry to optimize the production processes. As a result, we now have several ‘production lines’ – for example, for automatic, manual-winding and quartz watches – as well as separate areas for both brands.”
The individual production steps – from attaching the dials and hands to the movements, casing them, and conducting functional tests (at least 48 hours) – are clearly structured and logically separated. Despite all the modern planning and processes, automation is only implemented where it makes the watchmakers' work easier.
@Photo-Credit: INSIGHT LUXURY
Sustainability as DNA
The Mondaine Group is a real Pioneers in sustainability in the watchmaking industry.
André Bernheim:
“Of course, one can always debate whether sustainable practices make sense on one’s own small scale. But that’s not really the question. The real question is: Why shouldn’t you implement it if you can simply do it? And we prove every day throughout the Mondaine Group and with our products that it works.”
Sustainability at MONDAINE – at a glance
- CO₂ neutrality: Since 2019, the entire Mondaine Group has been comprehensively CO₂-neutral – from production and products to logistics. This is achieved through a wide range of on-site measures, thoughtful manufacturing, special materials, and reforestation programs.
- Renewable energy: 70-80% Solar power from own photovoltaic system.
- Recycling & Materials: Use of recycled materials such as stainless steel, PET, cork and castor oil-based plastics (e.g. in the essence-Collection).
- Sustainable packaging: Made from recycled materials.
- Durability & Repairability: Focus on easy maintenance and durable designs.
MONDAINE combines classic Swiss watchmaking with ecological responsibility – making it one of the pioneers of sustainable industrial production in the watch industry. Furthermore, the Mondaine Group stands for other high-tech achievements that can be experienced firsthand in the manufacturing process and are central to the brands. This is especially true for Luminox:
High-tech in detail: Luminox Light Technology & CARBONOX™
Luminox Light Technology (LLT)
LLT technology ensures perfect readability under all conditions. Tiny tritium tubes glow continuously – without any charging or power source.
Approximately 1000 of these tubes are placed on the dials and hands before being fitted.
Depending on the area of application, the colors can be varied: underwater, short-wavelength colors such as green or blue are used (red disappears in the depths), while in field use, muted tones are chosen, for example, to avoid revealing the position of the watch wearer.
The tubes are manufactured in the factory. Assembled by hand and tested in a light-tight darkroom.
@Photo-Credit: INSIGHT LUXURY
Tritium – the gentle light of the night
Tritium is a slightly radioactive isotope of hydrogen – completely harmless in the smallest quantities.
Enclosed in glass tubes, it excites a phosphor that produces light continuously – for up to 25 years. For comparison: A banana contains more natural radioactivity than the tritium tubes in a watch.
But that's not all the high-tech stuff, because tactical watches must above all be robust, durable, and as lightweight as possible. Luminox has found a solution for that too:
CARBONOX™
CARBONOX™ is one of Luminox developed high-performance material made of Carbon fibers and polymer – lightweight, robust, and durable. It is round. one third lighter than titanium, rust-free, antimagnetic, extremely shock and temperature resistant and – often not unimportant, especially under extreme conditions – very skin-friendly.
Thanks to its matte, non-reflective surface, CARBONOX™ is perfectly suited for Tactical and outdoor watches - from Navy SEAL until Bear Grylls Survival. Durable and – unlike pure carbon – recyclable, it also stands for the sustainable material philosophy the brand.
André Bernheim on product development:
“In product development, we work closely with our partners – with the SBB at MONDAINE and with the Navy SEALs or Bear Grylls at Luminox. This is how we guarantee 100% operational capability and 100% design precision.”
Our conclusion after spending some time at MONDAINE: Swiss precision with attitude
Upon first entering the building – and at the latest after a short tour – one can feel:
Every area here breathes the DNA of the timepieces manufactured here. Design, high-tech, usability and sustainability These are not just slogans, but real, lived, and everywhere visible values.
At the same time, everything remains approachable, personal and unmistakably Swiss – a piece of genuine watchmaking culture in the here and now.
Thank you, dear André and dear Giovanni, for taking the time to guide us through the factory and for all the fascinating information and impressions! Thanks also to all the employees and watchmakers for letting us look over your shoulders!
Written by INSIGHT LUXURY, see the full article here.
