Sultana Skin Diver automatic, 60s

Sultana Skin Diver

Automatic movement Felsa 692

Stainless steel case 36x45,5mm excluding the crown

Syringe hands

Rotating bezel

Year 60s

History:

The Sultana watch brand is one of those lesser-known names with a surprisingly rich—and somewhat complicated—history in Swiss watchmaking. Here’s a clear, structured overview so you can understand where it fits in the watch world.

Origins & Early History

• Founded: 1935–1937
• Place: La Chaux-de-Fonds (a major center of Swiss watchmaking)
• Key figure: Paul Gaston Schwarz

Gaston Schwarz (1893-1952) was the eldest of three brothers who inherited Paul Schwarz-Etiennes La Chaux-de-Fonds-based watchmaking business, to which he added Astin. He also re-established Sultana with his sister and took over Le Phare, which was merged with Sultana under the leadership of his sons, Gaston and Frédy.

The Sultana name itself was first registered in 1933, and the company as we know it took shape shortly after under the Schwarz family.

Early on, Sultana was a generalist watchmaker, producing reliable, everyday mechanical watches during a time when demand for wristwatches was booming (1940s–50s).

Growth & Technical Development

Sultana became more serious technically when it teamed up with the historic Swiss manufacturer Le Phare.

• The two companies merged (formally in 1973, with close ties earlier)
• At one point, the combined group was among the largest producers of mechanical chronographs in Switzerland

They produced:

• Mechanical watches
• Automatic watches
• Alarm watches
• Even early dual time-zone models (quite innovative at the time)