Charles Kuhn

Charles Kuhn (1831-1888) was an industrialist, banker, and politician instrumental in the growth of the Reconvilier Watch Company.

Charles Kuhn was born on November 24, 1831, in Bienne. He was the son of Joseph Randoald Kuhn, a music teacher, and Marianne de Meuron. In 1859 Kuhn married Joséphine née Barbier, daughter of banker Louis Barbier. This made him the brother in law of his future business partner, Emile Tièche.

After compulsory schooling in Bienne, Kuhn did an apprenticeship in commerce in Lausanne before joining the Barbier-Moser bank in Bienne, which was owned by his father in law. He then worked in Lausanne as a traveling salesman.

In 1861, Kuhn partnered with Emil Schwab and Gustav Neuhaus in a hardware supply business in Bienne. This gave him the funds to partner with his brother in law Emile Tièche to take over the watch ebauche business Reconvilier Watch Company following the death of his father. The two also partnered to form and manage the Barbier-Moser bank.

Charles Kuhn served on the municipal council of Bienne from 1863-1866, and became mayor of the city that year. He also became prefect of the district of Bienne from 1866-1871. He was a member of the Grand Council of Berne from 1871-1882 and became vice-president in 1879. He was government commissioner in the Bernese Jura during the Kulturkampf of 1874 and returned as mayor of Bienne in 1882 and 1883. National Advisor from 1878 to 1886, he served in the radical left, and was part of the military commission. He was also a Colonel Brigadier of the artillery, and commanded the artillery brigade 3 until 1874 and was the chief of arms of the artillery troops until 1881.

Charles Kuhn died on January 10, 1888 in his home city of Bienne. He was survived by his son, Charles Kuhn-Blösch, who took over the watchmaking partnership with Emile Tièche as well as the private bank, along with Charles' widow Josephine.