Ferdinand Bourquin

Ferdinand Bourquin (about 1845-1905) was a watchmaker and inventor active in Saint-Imier in the late 19th century. He was famous for his chronograph patents and is the founder of the famous chronograph-making firm Leonidas, which was acquired by Heuer in 1964.

Julien Bourquin

The Leonidas company traces its roots to the year 1841, when Julien Bourquin (about 1815-1897) began selling watches in Saint-Imier. Bourquin is listed in Indicateur Davoine as early as 1842 in the town, along with Calame (no longer listed after 1844) and Fs-H. Bourquin (noted as "Maison à Londres" and appears to relocate to La Chaux-de-Fonds soon after). Bourquin Frères appears in 1847 and 1848, and Julien continued to be listed alone beyond this date. In 1867, Bourquin's production is noted as "fabricant ... et aroenterie et bijouterie" (maker of watches, silverware, and jewelry) and his address is shown specifically at Grand Rue 6. Julien Bourquin appears to have died in the 1880s.

Ferdinand Bourquin

Seel Also: Leonidas

Ferdinand Bourquin is listed as successor to Julien Bourquin in 1886. He had worked in Russia, selling watches to the aristocracy there and establishing the Bourquin name alongside those of Paul Buhré, H. Moser & Cie., and Breguet. Once he took over, Julien expanded the family business with workshops in Poland and Russia and the establishment of new brands, La Populaire and Léonidas.

The first advertisement for Ferdinand Bourquin appears in 1895 and declares this is "Ancienne Maison Julien Bourquin Fondée en 1841", leaving little doubt to the continuity. Bourquin lists La Populaire as his brand at this time, and specifies that he specializes in anchor watches of beauty and quality in 13, 16, and 19 ligne sizes, along with chronographs and stop watches.

In 1901, Ferdinand Bourquin relocated to Rue des Roses 2, a growing factory also used by Ernest Degoumois at that time and the future home of the Fluckiger dial company. Bourquin was constructing his own workshop in the Beau-Site area across town but he died of a heart attack on March 5, 1905, before the new factory opened.