Connect with us

Co-Founder of Belair Time Dies at 104

mm

Published

on

Co-Founder of Belair Time Dies at 104On Aug. 9, Ernest Grunwald, co-founder of Belair Time Corp., died at age 104.

Born in Bielefeld, Germany, he attended Bonn University, but was forced to discontinue his studies in 1933 when Hitler expelled all Jewish students.

He relocated to Italy, where he studied Italian and later medicine at the University of Pisa. In 1938, Grunwald fled to Switzerland and was finally able to immigrate to the U.S. in 1941.

In 1943, Grunwald was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in North Africa and Italy. He became a naturalized citizen during the war.

On Jan. 12, 1946, he married Ilse Kalberman and joined the small family watch business, the J. Kalberman Co. Grunwald’s flair and language skills (he was fluent in English, French, German and Italian) served him well and the business flourished, eventually becoming the official U.S. distributor for both Enicar and Cyma watches and clocks.

In 1962, they opened a watch movement assembly plant, Belair Time Corp., in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1974, his son Alan joined the business which relocated to Lakewood, NJ, in 1989. It remains there today.

Advertisement

Grunwald had a passion for people and was loved by employees, suppliers, and customers alike.

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

After 139 Years, A Family Legacy Finds Its Perfect Exit With Wilkerson.

When third-generation jeweler Sam Sipe and his wife Laura decided to close Indianapolis’ historic J.C. Sipe Jewelers, they turned to Wilkerson to handle their retirement sale. “The conditions were right,” Sam explains of their decision to close the 139-year-old business. Wilkerson managed the entire going-out-of-business sale process, from marketing strategy to sales floor operations. “Our goal was to convert our paid inventory into retirement funds,” notes Sam. “The results exceeded expectations.” The Sipes’ advice for jewelers considering retirement? “Contact Wilkerson,” Laura says. “They’ll help you transition into retirement with confidence and financial security.”

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular

Press Releases

Co-Founder of Belair Time Dies at 104

mm

Published

on

Co-Founder of Belair Time Dies at 104On Aug. 9, Ernest Grunwald, co-founder of Belair Time Corp., died at age 104.

Born in Bielefeld, Germany, he attended Bonn University, but was forced to discontinue his studies in 1933 when Hitler expelled all Jewish students.

He relocated to Italy, where he studied Italian and later medicine at the University of Pisa. In 1938, Grunwald fled to Switzerland and was finally able to immigrate to the U.S. in 1941.

In 1943, Grunwald was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in North Africa and Italy. He became a naturalized citizen during the war.

On Jan. 12, 1946, he married Ilse Kalberman and joined the small family watch business, the J. Kalberman Co. Grunwald’s flair and language skills (he was fluent in English, French, German and Italian) served him well and the business flourished, eventually becoming the official U.S. distributor for both Enicar and Cyma watches and clocks.

In 1962, they opened a watch movement assembly plant, Belair Time Corp., in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1974, his son Alan joined the business which relocated to Lakewood, NJ, in 1989. It remains there today.

Advertisement

Grunwald had a passion for people and was loved by employees, suppliers, and customers alike.

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

After 139 Years, A Family Legacy Finds Its Perfect Exit With Wilkerson.

When third-generation jeweler Sam Sipe and his wife Laura decided to close Indianapolis’ historic J.C. Sipe Jewelers, they turned to Wilkerson to handle their retirement sale. “The conditions were right,” Sam explains of their decision to close the 139-year-old business. Wilkerson managed the entire going-out-of-business sale process, from marketing strategy to sales floor operations. “Our goal was to convert our paid inventory into retirement funds,” notes Sam. “The results exceeded expectations.” The Sipes’ advice for jewelers considering retirement? “Contact Wilkerson,” Laura says. “They’ll help you transition into retirement with confidence and financial security.”

Promoted Headlines

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe


BULLETINS

INSTORE helps you become a better jeweler
with the biggest daily news headlines and useful tips.
(Mailed 5x per week.)

Latest Comments

Most Popular