A story about four generations
It started in a time when there were no wristwatches, no cars and other modern conveniences.
First shop of Josef Rogel (1st generation) in Bad Reinerz, around 1900, son Josef (2nd generation) far right
In the middle of the 19th century, Josef Rogel, Peter's great-grandfather, learned the craft of watchmaking in what was then Germany and decided to open a specialist shop for watches and optics in Bad Reinerz, in what is now Poland, in 1880.
First shop of Josef Rogel (1st generation) in Zug, around 1910
In 1910 he emigrated to Switzerland with his family to establish a specialist shop in Zug, which was to last for three generations and for almost 100 years.
Like his father, Josef Rogel Junior learned the trade of watchmaker and optician. To further his education, he took a job in Rome. However, he returned to Zug after his father's death to continue his parents' business in 1927. He was to run the business successfully for almost forty years before handing it over to Peter's father in 1967.
Josef Rogel Junior in Rome, around 1925
René Rogel (3rd generation) in Lyss, around 1960
Peter's father also learned the profession of optician and worked as a watchmaker and optician in shops in Zurich, Biel, Lyss and Lucerne. He took over his father Josef's business in 1967 and ran it until his retirement in 2003.
Rogel Watches & Jewellery, Zug, around 1976
So it was now up to the fourth generation to write another chapter in the story. Peter learned the profession of watchmaker-restorer at the watchmaking school in Solothurn. He spent the first few years after completing his training in various watchmaking shops, including his father's shop. This enabled him to broaden and deepen his professional expertise.
Peter Rogel 1987
Training Master Class, Richemont, Seoul
But his dream has always been to live and work abroad. With just two suitcases, Peter left Switzerland in January 1999 to start a new adventure and a great challenge for the Richemont Group in faraway Hong Kong. It was the time when the boom really took off in Asia and the demand for after-sales service exploded.
A lot of heart and sweat went into building up what is now the most important market for the Swiss watch industry. Today, the after-sales service centres in Asia are among the most modern and best in the world, also thanks to Swiss know-how!
After 21 eventful and intense years, Peter decided to return to Switzerland with his family to give his children a solid Swiss education. Now the long family tradition will live on with Motion Watch GmbH...