Jämes Ruedin

Jämes Ruedin (1869-1936) was a watchmaker active after the turn of the 20th century. He came from the Ruedin family of watchmakers associated with the Reconvilier Watch Co.

Jämes Rudern was born in Corgémont where his father, also named Jämes Ruedin (1833-1922), was director of the ebauche factory, which was part of the Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon operation. His brother was Georges Ruedin-Mathez (1870-1935), director of the Reconvilier Watch Co. The young Jämes Ruedin attended school in the village of Corgémont before leaving for Saint-Imier to study watchmaking for three years.

After school, Ruedin moved to Pontenet working at an industrial establishment and serving as municipal secretary. But he soon moved to Delémont where he would settle permanently. Jämes Ruedin married Anna Lachat (about 1877-1942).

On January 15, 1895, Jämes Ruedin partnered with Jules Weber to take over the ebauche factory of Emile Maître. Other partners in this business were Edmond, Gabriel, and Armand Picard of Les Fils de R. Picard, a prominent firm in La Chaux-de-Fonds that was later known under the Invicta brand. The company was called Weber, Ruedin & Cie.

Following the death of Jules Weber. Ruedin took over the majority partnership in the company, which was then known as Ruedin & Cie, manufacture d'Horlogerie de Delémont. Ruedin parted ways with the Picard brothers in August 1916, with the company now called J. Ruedin. Following Ruedin's retirement on April 20, 1921 the company was taken over by Emile Fasnacht and Paul Fasnaeht as Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Delémont.

Jämes Ruedin partnered with his brother Henri Ruedin in both his watchmaking firm and his brother's shoe manufacturing company, Labor SA, in Porrentruy.

Ruedin served on the municipal council in Delémont and played a prominent role within the Jura Development Society, the Local Beautification Society, and was a founder of the Jura Museum.

On retirement, Ruedin moved to Lausanne and then Neuchâtel, where he died. He died on April 4, 1936 after a long illness. His widow, Anna Ruedin-Lachat, died on March 10, 1942.