From invisible to must-have: I bought the most successful Swiss chair
For a long time nobody paid any attention to it, but now it’s back in fashion: Dietiker’s chair «Rey» is celebrating a comeback. But that’s not the only reason why I invested in the chair and can highly recommend it.
The Rey chair from 1971 is considered Switzerland’s most successful piece of furniture and has already been sold over a million times. Designed by Bruno Rey for the oldest Swiss furniture manufacturer Dietiker, it’s known for its innovative, screwless, wood-metal construction. In the 70s, it was everywhere – in conference rooms, schools, universities, libraries and community centres. As commonplace as a door handle, it was hardly noticeable.
Today, the stackable chair design is experiencing a renaissance: it floods Pinterest feeds, is sold in trendy concept stores such as the Parisian boutique «Merci» and can be found in trendy restaurants. The new hype could be linked to the rediscovery of 70s design language or the collaboration with Hay. To mark the 50th anniversary of the design, Dietiker teamed up with the hip Danish company and launched the new Rey Collection with fresh colours and adapted dimensions. Since then, Hay has taken over export sales of the Dietiker product from Stein am Rhein, with no changes for the Swiss market. This cooperation preserves the heritage of the Rey chair while simultaneously securing it a permanent place in today’s design world.
Since I like the seamless look and the curved, natural shape of the Rey so much, I bought two of the Dietiker beech wood and plywood version from Galaxus in white. Now, almost a year later, it’s time to share my verdict.
Source: Pia Seidel
Stylish exterior with sophisticated functionality
It took a few weeks for the Rey to finally arrive – that’s how it is when you don’t order mass-produced goods. But it was worth the wait because it was delivered fully assembled and I didn’t have to struggle putting it together. What immediately caught my eye was the clever technology that held the chair together with no visible screws or fittings. Sure, I’d already seen that in the photos, but pictures can be deceiving. I was immediately impressed by the look of the chair. It’s simple yet has a certain something thanks to the rounded edges.
Source: Pia Seidel
The white version perfectly matches my Scandi-retro style dining room. With its understated design, it also blends in easily with many other interior styles. The cult collection Rey from Dietiker includes chairs as well as stools and tables, all of which have this typical round silhouette. If I wanted, I could also add other models and then I’d be sure everything harmonises with each other.
Comfort and finish
Of course I also want to enjoy sitting on a chair. Contrary to my first impression, Rey has a comfortable, wide seat which is nice to sit on – even over long periods of time. The ergonomic shape of the backrest supports my back well even without padding, making it ideal for long dinners or an extended brunch.
The construction is solid too. The seat is stackable and has already been through a lot. It’s helped me hang curtains or dust lamps when I didn’t have a stable stepladder. With its six kilos and robust design, it could probably also withstand other physical activities...
Source: Pia Seidel
Source: Pia Seidel
Rey doesn’t have any adjustable parts, but if used as a dining chair I don’t think it needs them. It was important to me that it works well on different floors. While the table legs on older models were made of metal, the new glides are made of plastic, which works great on carpet, tiles and wood.
So far, it hasn’t suffered a single scratch or visible sign of use. Once, a new pair of jeans of mine almost stained it blue, but with a cleaning sponge it was gone in no time and it looked like new.
Sustainable because it’s made to last
For over 50 years, Dietiker’s Rey chair has stood for outstanding craftsmanship and timeless design. Made from solid beech wood and FSC-certified plywood, today the chair’s produced in Hungary (article in German). Nevertheless, the connection to its roots remains strong, as Rey can be sent to the original factory for a refresh. The fact the patented wooden parts are so precisely bonded to the die-cast bracket gives the chair impressive stability, making it durable for generations. This is clear to see from numerous old versions that you can find in second-hand stores and emphasises the sustainable philosophy behind this design classic.
In a nutshell
Rey deserves cult status
The design icon immediately impressed me with its timeless, simple look, which blends harmoniously into many interior styles. It’s assembled without screws which is also complementary to an elegant look. Made from coated solid wood, the chair is both robust and super easy to clean – stains disappear in no time at all. Available in various colours and designs, Rey wins extra points for its stackability and functionality.
For me, the high-quality finish, the material and clever adhesive technology justify the price. Admittedly, at first I was tempted to go for the cheaper alternative from a big-name Swedish furniture store, but in the long run I’ve made a worthwhile investment here. A design classic like this chair usually retains its value and can often be resold at a good price, whereas nameless chairs quickly lose value because the market is oversaturated with them.
Pro
- Seamless look
- Sturdy design
- Gentle silhouette
- Hard-wearing surface
- Suitable for any type of flooring
- Ergonomic seat
Contra
- Waiting time
- Expensive
Header image: Pia Seidel
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Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
