Certina is one of the brands of the Swiss Swatch Group, world leader for the production of watches.

In Grenchen, brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth open their first movement and supplies factory for the watchmaking industry, with three employees in a workshop annexed to the family home. The creation of complete timepieces begins a few years later, in parallel to the production of discrete high-quality watch movements.

For the first time, a brand name is used. Adolf and Alfred choose to call their watches "Grana", short form of "Granacus", the Latin name for Grenchen. The first wrist-watches appear on the market, for the larger part ladies' models as men still categorically reject the idea of wearing time on one's wrist.

Grana and its 250 employees celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. A search by the directors for a new brand name finds "Certina", taken from the Latin "certus", meaning "assured, certain". This neologism, easily pronounced in most languages, enhances the company's image and helps to open new market frontiers beyond its native Switzerland.

The Kurth Brothers' manufacturing facility in Grenchen celebrates its 60th anniversary. It now has a staff of 350 workers and its production and exports toward world markets ride a strong upward curve. Certina's first subsidiary is opened in Germany.

By this time, 500 employees work in the factory and its offices, with a daily output of 1000 watches. Certina greatly expands its operations and facilities to become one of the most modern and best equipped watchmakers of its time.