The Prim brand story

And we are still here. Every day we work proudly on the fact that the Czech Republic is one of the few countries in the world able to build its own manufacture calibre – one with a long history and stories that span generations of families. Everyone who knows their craft deserves to measure time.

At Prim, every one of us believes that every single person is good at something. We want to be the ones who keep reminding people of that – and the ones whose watches all these skilful people wear.

Read about everything that makes our brand what it is.

In the autumn of 1949, Adolf Martínek was given a task no one in the country had any experience with: to start producing Czechoslovak wristwatches.

Together with fifteen colleagues, he set to work in the empty building of the former district national committee in Nové Město nad Metují. The new branch of the state enterprise Chronotechna was founded on 6 November 1949.

Today, Prim watches are made in two places: Nové Město nad Metují and Frýdek-Místek. In Nové Město they are joined by manufacture calibres of our own design and production. In other words, we still work where fifteen people without any experience started out in 1949.

Several million Prim watches have been made. We proudly honour that number, and it is firmly rooted in our company culture that everyone deserves our watches.

The local baker, the boss, the top manager and even the President.

We try to do well what we know how to do, and we respect everyone who does the same. In any field, with any measure of success. What counts is the effort and the moment you begin. That is how our brand came about too – with determination and the belief that it would work out. We want to be a brand that reminds people it can work out for them as well.

Made at home
Prim watches are made in two places: Nové Město nad Metují, where it all began in 1949, and Frýdek-Místek, home of the family company MPM-Quality.

Our own calibres
In Nové Město nad Metují we design and make Prim manufacture calibres under the Prim Manufacture name.

World-class partners
Our other models run on proven Swiss and Japanese movements from the leaders of the watch industry.

Prim owners
The people who wear and own Prim watches. And the family company, the watchmakers, the designers and everyone who conceives, assembles and looks after Prim watches so they last for many more generations.

There are plenty of them
But Prim watches are still not on the wrists of everyone who lives here. Our dream is for everyone to be able to own one and then pass it on. A great legacy – that is what Prim watches are too.

Five ways to recognise Prim watches. Best of all, though, by the quality we stand behind.

Over the years you may also come across all of these logos. Watches bearing them are ours and still in circulation. It can also happen that, depending on stock, a newly ordered watch reaches you with one of these logos. All the bigger a piece of history you have just acquired.

Congratulations!

Prim manufacture calibres.
Our own design, our own production, assembled in Nové Město nad Metují. On many models the movement is visible through a sapphire caseback. One example: the Prim 98 manufacture calibre, an automatic movement with 22 jewels, a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of at least 48 hours.

Swiss and Japanese movements.
Our other models use proven movements from Swiss and Japanese makers, and we always say which one. Only watches with our own calibre and the highest share of handwork carry the Prim Manufacture mark.

The Hanko family.

They have owned the MPM-Quality group for more than twenty years. Petr Hanko built it with strong support from his family, and today he runs the family treasure together with his daughter Barbara Uher Hanková.

In 2025, the Hankos brought the companies that made Prim watches here together under one brand.
Since that moment, Prim has been one again.

Watchmakers, designers and our whole team

Over 110 people in two towns.

Barbara Uher Hanková, Managing Director of Prim

Prim manufacture calibres.
Our own design, our own production, our own assembly – where the brand began 77 years ago.

On many models the movement is visible through a sapphire caseback. The Prim 98 manufacture calibre – an automatic movement with 22 jewels, a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of at least 48 hours – that is what the pillars of one of our movements look like.

The calibres made here carry the Prim Manufacture mark, so you will find this logo on the watches with the highest share of handwork.

Swiss and Japanese movements.
Our other models run on proven movements from Swiss and Japanese makers.

We are here for those who know their craft.

What we do is watches. We know how much work goes into every detail, which is why we value everyone who is good at what they do, whether in their field or in life’s seemingly ordinary efforts. Whether you are a biathlete on the podium, an actor, an accountant or the doorman who says good morning first, every morning.

We are all good at something.

We love teaming up with people who know their craft. Such partnerships give rise to special editions like Dakar, Legendy, Janský and more. Take a look at the current watches from our Special editions.

Where you can try Prim watches on.

Does your Prim watch, clock or pocket watch need repairing, cleaning or checking?

We offer professional servicing for all our products, both under warranty and after it expires.