From the idea of the watch
to the creation of the manufacture

– From dream to reality –

I was working in the watch industry but I could not find the watch I was dreaming of.

Style, boldness, audacity, I wanted a watchthat reflects my personality and my values.
A Taliswoman symbol of Life – Harmony – Spirituality
A watch ticking with my feminine rhythm. I could not find it, I had to create it.
In 1994, I decided to create a watch, a silent mentor empowering women to reach the sky. I had to do it, it was a mission, a passion for me and for my sisters all over the world.

DELANCE-en

1994

Giselle Rufer registered the Name “Delance” based on her father’s name “Fridelance”

Carol Gygax-Didisheim succeeds with the design following the theme: Life – Harmonie – Spirituality
At the center is the diamond shape, the universal symbol of life and prosperity
At the zenith, 12 o’clock, is the spiral, symbolic of water, the moon, femininity
The stone at 6 o’clock represents the south, the sun, and radiates the masculine energy
The infinity knot links the feminine and the masculine for all eternity

1996

May 2nd: Delance Inc. is founded

First participation to Basel World, the most famous watch exhibition in the world

Giselle Rufer is selected by GENILEM, a foundation supporting young entrepreneurs starting their own business

Genilem, a Swiss foundation who encourages young entrepreneurs starting their own business, supported a female company for the first time. For Giselle Rufer, this is the recognition of feminine excellence.
www.genilem.swiss

Delance is on the WEB : www.delance.com

Visionary, Delance is one of the first luxury Swiss watch manufacturer on the web.

DELANCE sponsor of the Global Summit Foundation.

DELANCE offers a prize to the ‘Women’s World Summit Foundation”, awarded to a creative weaver from Kuwait: Madam Abab Farhan.

1997

DELANCE is introduced at the International Museum of Watchmaking in La Chaux de Fonds

You can see the Delance watch under the section “Shape Evolution”.
www.mih.ch

First skeleton mechanical watch, carved and engraved

Delance présente sa première montre squelette.Elle est sertie de diamants roses et munie d’un mouvement Piguet, squelettée par un artiste de la Vallée de Joux.

DELANCE in Copenhagen for the first international congress on corporate social engagement

The « Petite » DELANCE

The « Petite » DELANCE is adorable. Presented at ‘The Basel Watch Fair’ it has its fans: the elegant and discreet women.

Delance is rewarded with the « Golden Award for Quality »

DELANCE receives the 10th Annual ‘Golden Award for Quality’ in New York.

Participation à Bahrain Jewellery Exhibition

DELANCE participates in the ‘Bahrain Jewellery Exhibition’ for the first time.

Sharon Stone and her DELANCE

Sharon Stone wears her DELANCE during an ‘Oprah Winfrey Show’ episode.

1999

DELANCE, trophy for « Working Woman » in the USA

DELANCE is selected by ‘Working Woman’ as an award for the 8 most creative women entrepreneurs in the US.

2000

DELANCE receives the Golden Idea Oscar 2000 at Zurich Technopark

At Technopark Zurich, IDEE-SUISSE awards Giselle Rufer the GOLD OSCAR 2000.
This higly recognized award is given to Giselle Rufer for the originality of her concept and for her company’s social commitment.
www.idee-suisse.ch

2004

Delance offers a watch to Shirin Ebadi, Peace Nobel Prize winner

In the name of Swiss women, Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Peace Nobel Prize winner, receives a DELANCE watch.

Giselle Rufer receives the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network award

Giselle Rufer receives the « Recognition Award » from GWIIN (Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network) in Singapore.
www.gwiin.com

2006

Delance at Festival du Film Français d’Helvétie

Delance starts sponsoring FFFH – Helvetia French Film Festival – offering a personal Delance to the artists. Zabou Breitmann, Charlotte Masini, Medeea Marinescu, Claire Simon, Camille Varenne, Danièle Thompson and Edna Epelbaum receive a DELANCE watch.
www.fffh.ch

Giselle Rufer elected Woman of the Year by the American Biographical Institute

The “American Biographical Institute” awards Giselle Rufer of Delance, the 2005 “Woman of the Year” medal, for her social contribution and professional success.

2008