Tim & Bart were born in Oldenzaal, Netherlands, into a family with over a century of watchmaking heritage. The Grönefeld family has a watchmaking history spanning over more than a century, the foundations of which were established in 1912 by Johan Grönefeld. As the third generation, they continued a legacy that began with their grandfather and was carried on by their father, all rooted in Oldenzaal. They believe that this heritage deepens the connection between the wearer and the timepiece. After years of studying and working abroad, the brothers returned to their hometown Oldenzaal and sought to bring watchmaking back home.
Oldenzaal is a municipality and a city in the eastern province of Overijssel in the Netherlands. Oldenzaal was granted market rights in 1049 and its city rights date were granted in 1249, making it the oldest city in the Twente region. It was the most important city in the region in the Middle Ages; the centre of trade and religion. You will find the Plechelmusbasilica and that the street pattern is still the same as in medieval times.
Although Oldenzaal is not as recognized as Geneva for watchmaking, it carries a deeper significance. As Bart puts it, “We are proud of where we come from. It’s quite rare that you can find a watchmaker here in the Netherlands.”
