Gold medal of honour for Grönefeld
We were hugely surprised when Oldenzaal Mayor Patrick Welman presented a gold medal of honour and accompanying certificate to Grönefeld B.V. on Tuesday 21 November. "We didn't see this one coming."
Grönefeld has been an established name in Oldenzaal since 1912. That's when Johan Grönefeld started as a watchmaker in the shadows of Saint Plechelmus, a basilica and tower dating from 1240. Later, the operation of the workshop and boutique was continued by his son Johannes (Sjef). The business is now run by the third generation, the horological brothers Bart and Tim.
Bart and Tim received the gold medal of honour in the presence of their parents Sjef and Netty. In 2009, the brothers launched the watch brand Grönefeld. Their handmade designs won several prestigious international awards. Customers come from far and wide for an exclusive timepiece.
Tribute to father Sjef
"Grönefeld has been a national and international calling card of Oldenzaal for many years and deserves the appreciation of the municipality in the form of a golden medal of honour," said the mayor. Tim and Bart are happy with the recognition but see it more as a tribute to their father Sjef. Sjef started maintaining the Plechelmus tower when he was 12 years old. The brothers intend to take over in the future.
"We didn't see this one coming," says Bart just after handing over the medal of honour and certificate. "Our father is still busy maintaining the Plechelmus tower. Think of moving the clock at the change from wintertime to summertime and vice versa. He is now handing this over to us so that we can take this over in the future."
