Hippolyte Frêne

Hippolyte Frêne was the mayor of Reconvilier from at least 1878 through 1880. He was accused of being part of a "secret society" called "The Union" in an 1891 lawsuit by an injured worker, which a judge found to be credible. Yet he was re-elected mayor of Reconvilier in this same period.

In 1890, Frêne partnered with watchmaker Jules Garraux of Malleray to establish an ebauche manufacturing and finishing workshop in Reconvilier. Frêne's predecessor Emmanuel-Aimé Tièche had brought economic development to the town starting in 1850 with the railroad, an ebauche factory, and a brass foundry. As mayor, Frêne wanted to capitalize on this development. His company was initially called Frêne & Garraux and was formed as a general partnership on September 1, 1890. The company was primarily focused on finishing ebauches for use by other watchmakers.

This was a cutthroat time in ebauche sales, and Frêne & Garraux were drawn into a controversy when some customers claimed their products were available at far lower prices than generally offered. Despite defending themselves vigorously, Frêne realized that a new organization of ebauche makers was needed. He thus signed up for the new Comptoir Général des Ebauches.

On March 1, 1892, Garraux and Frêne partnered with Constant Scheimbet on a new firm manufacturing and selling watches as well as tobacco products under the brand "la Kigi", which Scheimbet invented and patented. This company was dissolved two years later and was absorbed into Frêne et Garraux, which continued to focus primarily on ebauche finishing and sales. On September 21, 1894, Hippolyte Frêne took sole ownership of the company, which was henceforth called H. Frêne.

In 1898 he presided over the construction of workers' housing in Reconvilier.

He participated in the 1900 bidding to create the Nouvelle Fabrique de Tavannes, which he lost to Salomon Hirsch.

Frêne was bankrupt in 1905 with his home and buildings auctioned to pay his debts in October. This included his residence, the watchmaking workshop, and all of his possessions.