History

Oettinger Davidoff celebrates 150 Years

In May 2025, Oettinger Davidoff celebrates its 150th Anniversary and looks back on its heritage with pride and happiness.

Relaunch of the Zino brand

Relaunch of the Zino brand with a Nicaraguan taste profile and a new campaign «Live Life from A-Z».

30 Years in the Dominican Republic

For 30 years, the company has been producing its cigars in the Dominican Republic (1991-2021). The milestone also marks the start of the company’s «Crop-to-Shop» philosophy through which it steers the quality and consistency of its cigar manufacturing along its entire value chain.

50 Years Davidoff

Davidoff Cigars celebrates 50 years of heritage, pioneering, innovation and craftsmanship in cigar making in the spirit of the man who gave the brand and the company its name – Zino Davidoff. 

30 Years AVO Cigars

AVO Cigars also celebrating a remarkable milestone: 30 years of AVO Cigars. 

New CEO and Chairman of the Board

Beat Hauenstein, former COO and CIO of the company, has been nominated as the new CEO. He succeeds Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard. 

Domenico Scala follows Andreas Schmid as Chairman of the Board. He is currently Chairman of Basilea Pharmaceutica, BAK Basel Economics as well as the President of BaselArea, a Member of the Board of Overseers of Tufts University in Boston and a member of the Bank Council of Basler Kantonalbank.

Maison Davidoff

In October 2017, the company officially inaugurated the Maison Davidoff at Nauenstrasse 73 in Basel. The newly constructed building and global head office of the Basel-based family-run business is replacing the company's 1930 building on the same site.

Davidoff of Geneva Germany is founded

Termination of distribution agreement with German distributor Arnold André and foundation of an own subsidiary Davidoff of Geneva Germany as per 1 January 2017.

Davidoff launches the Yamasá line

Davidoff's new Yamasá line is the third black-banded Davidoff cigar with a Dominican wrapper and binder. 

Bluebell becomes Davidoff of Geneva Asia

As from 1 January 2016 Oettinger Davidoff takes over a majority stake in Bluebell Cigars (Asia) Ltd. as per 1 January 2016. Bluebell Cigars (Asia) Ltd. will be renamed Davidoff of Geneva (Asia) Ltd.

Strengthening of our "Crop to Shop" Philosophy

Acquisition of land in Honduras to build a new cigar factory in Danlí, Honduras, which represents a further strengthening of the company’s crop-to-shop philosophy, which is an anchor of its global strategy.

Renaissance of the Davidoff Winston Churchill

Renaissance of the Davidoff Winston Churchill line of cigars befitting from the world’s most iconic cigar aficionado - a man of many layers and many dimensions.

Reopening of the mother store in Geneva

Reopening of the mother store in Geneva, which was founded by the father of Zino Davidoff in 1911, and which had been revamped in accordance with the new globally standardized design concept “Davidoff of Geneva – since 1911”.

Launch of Davidoff Escurio

Launch of Davidoff Escurio: Inspired by Zino Davidoff’s pioneering spirit, the company is launching a Brazilian range of cigars following the successful Nicaragua line.

Oettinger Davidoff sells its Swiss Wholesale Business

Oettinger Davidoff AG is selling its wholesale business, incorporated in Contadis AG to Lekkerland (Schweiz) AG, and is closing its Oberentfelden site. The sale is a result of the systematic implementation of the company’s clearly defined corporate strategy to focus on cigars and cigar accessories as well as international sole agencies.

New Group Company in Spain

Reorganization of the group’s distribution in Spain with effect January 1. The distribution of Oettinger Davidoff products in Spain is transferred from long-standing Partner Proein SA to Davidoff of Geneva Iberia, a wholly-owned group company of Oettinger Davidoff AG.

Davidoff launches Nicaragua

Davidoff launches its new Davidoff Nicaragua line, wearing a black cigar ring, with great success and proves that Davidoff is a brand, not a territory.

Oettinger Davidoff AG gets a new corporate identity

Oettinger IMEX AG and Oettinger Davidoff Group become Oettinger Davidoff AG with a completely new corporate identity and design.

Founding of Davidoff of Geneva Austria

Own subsidiary under the name of “Davidoff of Geneva Austria” is founded to reinforce and expand the position of the group in this emerging cigar market.

Launch of new Retail Concept

 The curtain of the new retail concept "Davidoff of Geneva since 1911" was raised on December 1, 2011. The opening of the first new-look Davidoff Flagship Store in Zurich Airport marked the beginning of the rollout. At the very heart of the store is a 30-square-meter walk-in humidor.

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL DAVIDOFF STORE IN GENEVA

The oldest Davidoff shop in the world, Davidoff Geneva, marks its centenary. With the anniversary of the original store, Davidoff is celebrating “100 Years of Excellence in Fine Cigar Retailing”.

In 1911, Zino Davidoff’s father opened a tobacconist’s on the Boulevard des Philosophes in Geneva, thereby laying the foundation stone for today’s global network of more than 60 Davidoff Flagship Stores. With the anniversary of the original store, Davidoff is celebrating “100 Years of Excellence in Fine Cigar Retailing”.

Acquisition of Cusano Cigars

Acquisition of another American family company: The acquisition of Cusano Cigars allows the Oettinger Davidoff Group to gain access to several new distribution channels in the US, including the so-called C-stores. 

Dr. Ernst Schneider passes away

Dr. Ernst Schneider, founder of the Oettinger Davidoff Group, dies on Tuesday, 13 October 2009 at the age of 88 after a short illness.

Acquisition of Camacho Cigars and opening of second production site in Honduras

Acquisition of the family company Camacho Cigars based in Danlí, Honduras and Miami, Florida on 1 October. With this acquisition, the Group strengthens its presence in its most important cigar market – the US – and expands its range with an additional important provenance: Honduras.

Launch of "Winston Churchill" Cigars

Worldwide launch of the “Winston Churchill” Cigars, from May 2008. In 2007, the Oettinger Davidoff Group acquired exclusive rights for the production, marketing and sale of cigars, cigarillos and smokers’ accessories under the “Winston Churchill” Cigars name from the descendants of the former British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill.

Wolsdorff Tobacco celebrates its 100th anniversary

Wolsdorff Tobacco GmbH in Hamburg celebrates the centenary of its foundation.

On 7 May 1907, the Hamburg merchant Emil Karl Ferdinand Wolsdorff opened his first shop on the Georgsplatz in Hamburg.

Worldwide launch of the cigar brand Zino Platinum

Worldwide launch of the cigar brand Zino Platinum, developed by the Oettinger Davidoff Group in partnership with American marketing guru Peter Arnell and hip-hop mogul Steve Stoute, revealing an entirely new approach to design, marketing and publicity. The brand consists of the two series “Crown” and “Scepter”.

Max Oettinger and Säuberli merge into one

From January 1st 2001, all wholesale activities of Max Oettinger AG and Säuberli & Cie. AG are combined in the new Contadis AG in Oberentfelden, Switzerland.

Oettinger Davidoff Group celebrates its 125th Anniversary

The Oettinger Davidoff Group celebrates its 125th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Group sponsors the exhibition “Tobacco – a magical herb conquers the world” at the Basel Museum of Culture.

Acquisition of the German Tobacco Chain Wolsdorf

Oettinger Davidoff acquired Wolsdorff Tobacco GmbH, a major German tobacco retailer, in 1997. Wolsdorff, which had been founded in 1907 and was known for its extensive network of tobacco shops, operates around 170 locations throughout Germany. These stores sell a variety of tobacco products, including cigars, pipes, and accessories. The acquisition allowed Oettinger Davidoff to strengthen its presence in the German market by gaining a significant retail network, and it has been a key part of the company's strategy to diversify and expand its footprint in the premium tobacco sector​.

Production of Davidoff Cigars is moved to the Dominican Republic

As of 1991 all Davidoff cigars are handcrafted in the Dominican Republic, in Villa Gonzales, Santiago. Meanwhile, also AVO, The Griffin's, Cusano, Private Stock and Zino Platinum are manufactured in the Dominican Republic.

Establishment of Davidoff of Geneva Inc. in the USA

Establishment of Davidoff of Geneva Inc. in the USA

Launch of the Zino brand

In 1978, Dr. Schneider and Zino Davidoff launch the Zino brand handcrafted in Honduras. This allows the company to sell the Zino cigars in the US market.

Creation of the Davidoff Appointed Merchant System

Creation of the Davidoff Appointed Merchant System

The Oettinger Group takes over Zino's Shop in Geneva.

The Oettinger Group takes over Zino Davidoff’s shop in Geneva. Dr. Ernst Schneider starts to establish Davidoff as an international brand.

Launch of the first white label cigars

The iconic oval white cigar ring heralds the birth of the Davidoff cigar brand. Created in Cuba by Zino Davidoff.

Dr. Ernst Schneider takes over the management

Dr. Ernst Schneider, son in law of Georg Huppuch, takes over the management of the company which he successfully expands and leads into the 21st century. 

Start of the second generation

Due to the insolvency of some clients, the enterprise gets into difficulty. The creditors, including some tobacco producers, appoint businessman Georg Huppuch to restructure Max Oettinger AG. Huppuch sorts out Oettinger's legacy, stops unprofitable imports, sells the retail shops, concentrates on the wholesale business and buys all of the company's shares. In 1930 he relocates the headquarters to Nauenstrasse in Basel.

The Davidoff family leaves Kiev and settles in Geneva

The Davidoff family leaves Kiev and settles in Geneva, where Henri Davidoff opens his first tobacco shop.

Max Oettinger opens his first specialized cigar store

Max Oettinger opens a cigar store at Eisengasse 9 in Basel.

From there, he sells imported cigars, tobacco from the barrel, cigarette tobaccos, pipes and smokers’ supplies to the entire world. By the outbreak of World War I, the company is considered to be one of the three best specialist tobacco shops in Switzerland.