An early commitment
to precision
Born out of the vision and technical prowess of Jacob Kern, Kern Swiss has been setting the standards in terms of quality and precision since 1819. With a rich heritage rooted in Switzerland’s renowned compass making tradition, Kern Swiss has continued to expand its market radius to become widely recognised today as a yardstick of style, quality, and precision.
With the acquisition of Kern Swiss in 1988, the tradition and excellence of this historical brand are now being carried forward by Kronos S.r.l.
Over the years, Kern Swiss has built an outstanding reputation across Europe and globally for delivering the best high-quality products, for its commitment to technological innovation and for using state-of-the-art, ad hoc equipment: Quality with a capital Q!
Compass
Museum
1988
1991
2009
2024
1988
A group of Kern Swiss employees donates a rich collection of historical tools and devices, business and development files, drawing sets, production and publicity materials to the Aarau City Museum. In August 1989 the donation is formally accepted by the local authorities.
1991
In 1991, after over 170 years of activity, Kern & Co. is bought out by Kronos S.r.l. and halts production. The “Kern Collection” represents the legacy of a highly successful manufacturing company which played a pivotal role in the history and culture of industrial technology.
2009
Following renovation and extension works on the premises of Aarau City Museum, the collection for the study of the Kern compasses opens to the public. Made up of a range of equipment, documents, films, and drawings, the collection is arranged to comply with the donors’ original request to keep all these items in one place.
2024
Today, the Aarau City Museum continues to house the Kern collection, which remains a faithful testament to the industrial history of a unique brand. Each collection item, from the compasses to the technical documentation, contributes to reviving the traditional “spirit” of precision characterising Kern Swiss, which is now being faithfully nurtured by Kronos S.r.l.
Check out the official website of the Kern Collection
When the history and the future of drawing tools become intertwined, a circle closes and a new one begins again, and you can rest assured that every circle you’ll draw using the tools we produce will always be accurate and certainly never vicious!