The Czech lands have a very long tradition in building various timekeeping devices – the famous astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall, set into operation in 1410, is still working with the original movement.
The modern watchmaking industry emerged from the ruins of the original German factories back in 1946. Two branches of Chronotechna ; one based in Liberec and a second in Nové Mesto nad Metují were created starting production of Czech wristwatches in 1949.
The plant in Nové Mesto nad Metují became independent of the Liberec one and used the names ELTON and PRIM on it's timepieces from 1969.
