Festina Automatic watch

Festina is a brand with a rich history that began in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1902. While it started as a traditional Swiss watchmaker, the brand underwent a significant transformation in 1984 when it was acquired by Spanish entrepreneur Miguel Rodríguez, the founder of Lotus watches. This merger created the Festina Group, which moved its administrative headquarters to Madrid, Spain.

Today, Festina is recognized as a Spanish-owned brand with a global presence. While the brand maintains some high-end Swiss-made collections, the majority of its contemporary consumer-grade watches, including many automatic models, are manufactured in Asia (primarily China) to offer a balance of style and affordability. These watches frequently utilize reliable Japanese automatic movements, such as those from Miyota, which is a subsidiary of Citizen. The brand continues to be a major player in the mid-range watch market and is well-known for its long-standing association with professional cycling.