ABOUT THE BRAND VIRIBUS UNITIS AND ITS RE-FOUNDER THOMAS HIDEN

The name VIRIBUS UNITIS – Latin for “With United Forces” – is in Austria inseparably linked to a deep, imperial history. It was the motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I and symbolised the cohesion of the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (k. u. k. Monarchie).

This historical motto also gained significance in watchmaking in Vienna. In fact, an old Austrian pocket watch manufacturer already existed in the imperial city under the name VIRIBUS UNITIS, which produced exclusive, handcrafted timepieces. These watches from the time of the Monarchy are a testament to the highest level of craftsmanship and the exquisite taste of that era. They lay the foundation for the historical heritage that the name carries to this day.

In 2017, the VIRIBUS UNITIS brand was brought back to life and led into the modern age by CEO and owner Thomas Hiden. This step resulted from a deep, long-standing passion for mechanical watches, through which Hiden revolutionised the tradition of the Viennese watch manufacturer. As the central figure of the re-establishment, he sees himself as a bridge-builder who translates the historical heritage of the Viennese watch manufacturer into the present and merges the spirit of the old times with the latest technologies.

Hiden is hands-on in the process: the drafts, the entire design, and the drawings of the timepieces come personally from him. His specialised watchmakers in the Vienna Woods are then responsible for the careful implementation and precise manufacturing. This strict division of labour guarantees that the watches bear the individual signature of the founder.

The philosophy of Viribus Unitis culminates in an exclusive manufacturing process: The watches are built exclusively to order.

• No off-the-shelf product: No watch is taken from the shelf. Every model is manufactured from the ground up for a specific person, which underscores the personal and exclusive nature of each timepiece.

• Historical inspiration meets modernity: Like their historical predecessors, today’s models are synonymous with quality and craftsmanship. Hiden deliberately links back to the artisan excellence of the Austro-Hungarian era but interprets it in a cool, modern vintage style. The designs are often large-format and closely linked thematically to historical Austrian elements (e.g., former Austro-Hungarian military aircraft).

With a great deal of passion and care, a brand-new, personal timepiece is created within two to three weeks, made from high-quality materials such as double anti-reflective sapphire crystal and precise Swiss movements.

The current company Viribus Unitis is thus the proud bearer of a historical and cultural heritage. It not only revitalises an imperial motto but also revives the tradition of old Austrian watchmaking and transfers its commitment to exclusivity and craftsmanship into the 21st century, thanks to the personal vision of Thomas Hiden. It is the “United Forces” of history, craftsmanship, and innovative, individual manufacturing that define the special character of these Austrian luxury watches.