Josef Wyss, a young certified watchmaker born in 1914, founded JOWISSA in 1951. He used his own name in combination with the official Swiss corporate registration and ldquo; SA & rdquo; (company) to name his brand JOWISSA. Born and reared in the village of Bettlach in the canton of Solothurn he was impressed early on by the long tradition of watchmaking in his hometown. Bettlach has deep roots in this craft going back to the 18th century. As a consequence Josef Wyss decided in early 1940 to learn the profession of the watchmaker.

With growing experience and an ongoing passion to produce time pieces for the wrist he got motivated to start an own watch company. His finances where tight, and the problems to get a government license to produce watches posed a real challenge. He finally overcame both obstacles and started JOWISSA in 1951.

JOWISSA initially produced watches in the family home, located at Hasenmattstrasse 29. Josef's wife Mathilde and their five Children were from the start important pillars in the daily activity of the company. During the initial years the business flourished because of the busyness of the Wyss family. This made it necessary to build a larger factory adjacent to the existing property.

After another 20 years JOWISSA's growth demanded again for a new headquarters, which was found at the present address Dorfstrasse 16. In the meantime the children had grown into central roles of the company, which freed up Josef Wyss for his second passion, local politics. He was elected Mayor for the township of Bettlach and served in this honorary capacity for 25 years. His son Leander Wyss took over the management in 1980 and till today directs the company.