SBB – the owner of the iconic Swiss railway clock design licensed to watch brand Mondaine – has reached a licensing agreement with Apple, after the technology giant copied the clock design for its latest iOS6 operating platform.
The announcement was made by SBB last Friday. It said: “The Swiss Federal Railways SBB and Apple have reached an agreement on the use of the SBB station clock on devices like iPad and iPhone. That the two parties have governed in a license agreement.
“For the use of the SBB station clock on devices like iPad and iPhone, the Swiss Federal Railways SBB and Apple have agreed and signed a license agreement. The parties have agreed to give the amount of the license fee as well as other details about the convention any further information.”
Apple hit the headlines internationally when design-conscious consumers picked up on the closely imitated alarm clock icon that featured on Apple’s iOS 6 upgrade, launched last month.
Andre Bernheim, co-owner of the family-owned Mondaine manufactory, which is licensed to manufacture watches and clocks with the SBB clock design, said ahead of the announcement: "Mondaine has made this Swiss time icon internationally known over the past 26 years, a very reasonable priced Swiss Made watch of timeless, modern and classic design.
"Apple shows great taste by choosing this design for their clock on their devices, and now, the owners of Mondaine watches and clocks as well as iPad owners can even enjoy the same distinct design.”
Bernheim said last month that the brand’s association with Apple was a great opportunity for Mondaine to communicate with global consumers who would want to purchase the physical watch and clock as featured on their iPad.
The railway station clock was built in 1944 by engineer and designer Hans Hilfiker designed for SBB.
