Darwil was actually something you could today call a „microbrand“.
Although it was actually a italian based company, all their watches were made in Switzerland and company itself was registered (on a few different occasions actually) in Gretchen valley.
As their business expanded, they entered yugoslavian market with smart approach: lowered the profit margins so they could keep the price lower than competition and offered wide range of affordable wristwatches or as the ad in the local newspaper quoted „quality for a few bucks“.
And indeed, they were great watches.
As it comes to some basic models chronology – it is mission impossible. They have had almost all types of watches: from handwound basic wristwaches, similar to HMT, automatic watches, chronographs, pocket watches, dive watches...over 3 million watches came out with Darwil badge on them!
Basic models are handwound mechanical watches, diameter around 33-37 mm, with chromed cases and usually subdial second, run by 17 jewel movements, that were all personalized and engraved with factory logo and even had personalized nomenclature (for example, Darwil 7041 is actually a Pesseux 7001 movement, Darwil 7018 is Unitas 6325 etc)
Variety of models and movement is almost endless. Mylord 72, Special Flat Lord 63, Special Flat Darblock, Snow Star...movements were Peseux 7001, FHF 76, Unitas 6325, ASchild movements..or anything that was swiss made, and thin enough to fit into „ultraflat“ cases.
{Found it on the internet}
