This Austrian family-owned and -run business has become a giant corporation with a diverse portfolio and is renowned for quality, craftsmanship and creativity. Founded in 1895, the company was built on the manufacture of high-quality crystals, related jewellery and lighting products. Driven by his passion for astronomy, Wilhelm Swarovski, son of the founder who originally hailed from Bohemia, produced their first 6x30 binoculars in 1935. A subsidiary company, Swarovski Optik, was founded in 1949, marking their entry into the sport optics market. Their first nonmilitary 4x32 riflescope was introduced in 1959.
This was bolstered by Swarovski’s acquisition of the renowned scope manufacturer Kahles in 1974, and they were arguably the first to produce illuminated reticles in 1994. They introduced an integrated laser rangefinder in 1995 and continued to extend their…
