history & heritage
“We wanted to combine mastery in diamond-cutting with mastery in watchmaking; two crafts requiring a high amount of skill, precision and attention to detail. While searching for a partner watchmaker, Backes & Strauss chose to work with the Franck Muller Group because of its revolutionary creative philosophy of combining tradition with modernity, an attribute Backes & Strauss shares. ”
TIMELINE
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1789
CREATION OF BACKES & STRAUSS
In the year of the French Revolution, Georg carl Backes, the founding father of the company, was first registered as a goldsmith in Hanau, Germany.
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1814
BACKES & STRAUSS IN LONDON
Johann Franz, Georges Backes' son, opened a branch office in London at 10 Hatton Garden - London. Even though the building no longer exists, the Backes and Strauss group still has offices in London on Jermyn Street - Mayfair.
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1819
BACKES & STRAUSS JEWELLERY MANUFACTURERS
Jewellery manufacturing operations set up in London UK, Hanau Germany and Paris, France.
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1856
MAX STRAUSS JOINS THE COMPANY
Max Strauss, the second founding father, entered the London office in 1856. Fifteen years later he was managing JF Backes & Co and two years later the company started trading as Backes and Strauss.
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1878
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION OF THE BACKES & STRAUSS HALLMARK
The Backes & Strauss hallmark was officially registered in London’s Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1878.
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1904
BACKES & STRAUSS WORLDWIDE EXPANSION
Towards the turn of the century, Mr. Ben and Mr. Frank Strauss travel extensively establishing business relationships and promoting Backes & Strauss in Alexandria, Vienna, Rome, Bucharest, Paris, Japan, Singapore and India.
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1953
CREATION OF THE ANTWERP OFFICE
Antwerp office is founded by Gerald Stroud under the direction of Robert Lee and Gustave Ponet.
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1957
BACKES & STRAUSS SETS UP AN OFFICE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Backes & Strauss carries on expanding rapidly, opening a new office in Melbourne, Australia.
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1976
VARTKESS KNADJIAN JOINS BACKES & STRAUSS
Vartkess Knadjian joined the company and took over the reins of the Antwerp office by 1982 after Robert Lee retired
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2000
VARTKESS KNADJIAN BECOMES THE GROUP CEO
Robert Lee, the former Managing Director, retires and Vartkess Knadjian takes over the reigns of the Antwerp office.
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2006
THE MEETING OF MASTERS
Backes & Strauss gets into strategic tie-up with the Franck Muller Group and launches its flagship collection of Regent, Berkeley & Piccadilly watches in November 2006. Image: Franck Muller Watchland, Switzerland
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2007
BACKES & STRAUSS TIMEPIECES FIRST SHOWCASE
Backes & Strauss showcases its watch collection for the first time at WPHH. Retail launches in Harrods, Asprey and Theo Fennel in London. Subsequent launches in USA, Japan, Italy, Canada and France.
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2010
BACKES & STRAUSS UNVEILS ITS NEW JEWELLERY COLLECTION
Backes & Strauss showcases its luxury jewellery collection for the first time at WPHH 2010 (World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie in Monaco).
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2012
LAUNCH OF THE REGENT DIAMOND JUBILEE WATCH AT HARRODS, LONDON
The Diamond Jubilee Collection is aptly a Regent, designed, crafted and inspired by our Diamond Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 1952 – 2012, in celebration of her 60 year reign.
