Georges Ruedin

Georges Ruedin (1895-1953) was an industrialist known for his eponymous watch case factory in Bassecourt. He was the son of Georges Ruedin-Mathez, manager of the Reconvilier Watch Company, and his younger brothers managed that firm.

Georges Ruedin was born on March 22, 1895 in Fontainemelon where his father worked at the FHF ebauche factory. Georges began schooling there before moving to Reconvilier when his father took over the Reconvilier Watch Company in 1902.

Young Georges Ruedin studied at the Technicum in Bienne and did his apprenticeship there. Following a tour abroad, he returned to his home to begin a career in watchmaking. Although the young Ruedin studied to be a technician-mechanic, his career would take him to the production of watch cases.

Georges married Paulette Honsberger (1894-1964) but they did not have any children.

Georges Ruedin SA

See Also: Georges Ruedin SA

Georges Ruedin-Mathez, father of Georges Ruedin, head of the Reconvilier Watch Company, had long used cases supplied by Ervin Piquerez of Bassecourt. But when Arthur Piquerez took over the firm following Ervin's death in 1921, Georges Ruedin senior grew dissatisfied with the firm, which soon failed. Seeking to better control supply, Georges Ruedin and watchmaker Albert Jaquat joined forces to start a small case-making workshop in the old Piquerez factory in Bassecourt. The company was officially initiated on February 1, 1926, with Georges Ruedin's son, also named Georges Ruedin, taking a leadership role.

The company was leveraged the equipment of the old Piquerez factory, which had been purchased by Jaquat, as well as supplies contributed by him. A financial investment from the Reconvilier Watch Company enabled the younger Georges Ruedin to establish operation even as Swiss watchmaking was faltering. The inexpensive Reconvilier watches continued to be in demand worldwide through the depression, giving the Bassecourt case making factory a reliable customer.

The company was renamed Georges Ruedin SA in 1951. Lacking a son to take over, Georges Ruedin took his nephew François Charles Ruedin (1925-1988) under his wing. In the summer of 1952, while he was in London, Georges summoned his nephew to join him in Bassecourt to help manage the firm.

Georges Ruedin died in Bassecourt on September 16, 1953. Operation of the factory was continued by François Charles Ruedin with his cousin Jacques Ruedin (1910-1997) and nephew André Ruedin (1931-?) also involved.

External Links

• Dynasties familiales et création d'entreprises: succès et échecs des entrepreneurs horlogers de la vallée de Delémont: l'exemple des familles Piquerez et Ruedin by Jean-Daniel Kleisl, Actes de la Société jurassienne d'émulation, Porrentruy, 102(1999), p. 352-367