Olma

The Numa Jeannin watch company, maker of Olma brand watches, was established in Fleurier in 1906. Both brands continue to this day in the hands of Hong Kong based company.

Numa-Augustin Jeannin in 1944

Numa-Augustin Jeannin was the son of watchmaker Paul Jeannin-Bourquin (1838-1927), who operated in Les Bayards. Numa Jeannin began the watchmaking trade in Pasquier moving to Buttes to manage the factory built there by his brother Henri Jeannin-Rosselet in 1901. He was commercial manager of this operation until moving to Fleurier in 1906. The Buttes factory closed after World War I but was re-opened in 1923 by former employee Arthur Charlet, who built it into the successful Buttes Watch company.

Desiring to start his own watchmaking operation, Numa Jeannin moved to Fleurier and registered his firm in 1906. The company constructed a factory building there in 1911 on Rue de l'Hôpital, and this was extended and expanded in 1924 and 1952. Numa brought his wife, Louise Jeannin-Marchand, into management in 1914, and his three infant sons likely spent most of their time at the factory.

In 1938 Numa elected to bring his three sons, Numa-Aurèle Jeannin, André-Paul Jeannin, and Edouard Jeannin into management of the company. He also brought in accountant Ernest Strahm (1901-1982) to help manage the growing operation. The company was incorporated as Numa Jeannin SA in 1942 with Jeannin and his sons receiving the shares. Numa-Aurèle Jeannin was promoted to second managing director in 1947, serving alongside his father.

Numa-Augustin Jeannin died in 1958 but the operation was continued by his widow and sons. Numa-Aurèle Jeannin became chairman of the board, with André-Paul Jeannin becoming vice-chairman.

On October 29, 1961, André-Paul Jeannin died. His place as vice-chairman was taken by his brother, Edouard Jeannin. Charles Reussner and Arno Heggli joined management at this time as well.

Louise Jeannin-Marchand and Ernest Strahm resigned in 1968 with Walter-Auguste Schneider joining the board. She died in 1970. Walter-Auguste Schneider was removed from the firm in 1972.

By the 1980s, the factory of Numa Jeannin was the last remaining historic watchmaking operation in Fleurier. A 1986 article noted that the factory was "managing against all odds to maintain its production despite an essential reduction in staff." The factory, whose Ivy and Olma watches were marketed on all continents, was managed by Rémy Fiechter at this time.

Important People

• Numa-Augustin Jeannin (-1958?) married Louise Jeannin-Marchand (died about May 1970)
  • Numa-Aurèle Jeannin (1912-January 15, 1989)
  • André-Paul Jeannin (about 1913-October 29, 1961)
  • Edouard Jeannin (about 1914-July 9, 1985)
• Ernest Strahm (July 11, 1901-December 1, 1982), accountant - not Ernest Strahm (1888-1938), director of Zénith

Timeline

• 1901 - Henri Jeannin-Rosselet builds a factory in Buttes; Numa-Augustin Jeannin is commercial manager
• 1906, December 1 - The Numa Jeannin company is officially established in Fleurier; Numa-Augustin Jeannin is the head; the company was a "Manufacture of watches"; it was located at Rue du Pasquier in Fleurier
• 1911 - The Numa Jeannin factory on Rue de l'Hôpital is built
• 1912 - Numa-Aurèle Jeannin is born to Numa-Augustin Jeannin and Louise Jeannin-Marchand
• 1912 - André-Paul Jeannin is born to Numa-Augustin Jeannin and Louise Jeannin-Marchand
• 1912 - Edouard Jeannin is born to Numa-Augustin Jeannin and Louise Jeannin-Marchand
• 1914, August - Louise Jeannin-Marchand is given authority
• 1911 - The Numa Jeannin factory on Rue de l'Hôpital is expanded
• 1938, July - The company confers power of attorney to Numa-Aurèle Jeannin, André-Paul Jeannin, Edouard Jeannin, and Ernest Strahm
• 1942, December 10 - A new public limited company is created in Fleurier called Numa Jeannin SA; the company focuses on "the manufacture and trade of watches and all other articles of watchmaking and mechanics, the acquisition of all real estate or real estate, and in general all similar operations"; the company has the right to open branches in Switzerland or abroad, and it can assume participations in all companies in Switzerland or abroad, acquire or create similar companies, and take charge of all operations that are likely to develop the purpose of the company; share capital is 500,000 francs divided into 100 registered shares of 5000 francs each; the board of directors is composed of President Numa-Augustin Jeannin, Vice-President Numa-Aurèle Jeannin, André-Paul Jeannin, and Edouard Jeannin; Numa-Augustin Jeannin is functions as Managing Director and individual signature; proxy officers are Louise Jeannin née Marchand and Ernest Strahm; offices are Rue de l'Hôpital 33
• 1942, December 23 - The assets and liabilities of the Numa Jeannin company are taken over by the public limited company Numa Jeannin SA of Fleurier; the balance sheet as of December 31, 1941 including assets of 1,766,412 francs and liabilities of 1,082,151 francs, leaving net assets of 684,261 francs; for the resumption of his accepted contribution at the price of 684,261 francs, Numa-Augustin Jeannin receives 90 shares of 5000 francs each, and his wife Louise Jeannin-Marchand receives 7 shares of 5000 francs each for a total of 485,000 francs; Numa-Augustin Jeannin remains a creditor of the company for the balance of his contributions, 199,261 francs; in addition, an action of 5000 francs each is given to Nuna-Aurèle Jeannin, André-Paul Jeannin, and Edouard Jeannin in compensation for receivables on the balance sheet; 100 nominative enjoyment vouchers are created giving their holders a right to profits and to the distribution of funds in the event of liquidation under the articles of association
• 1947, June 3 - Following its general meeting, the company increases its share capital from 500,000 francs to 750,000 francs by issuing 50 shares of 5,000 francs each, fully paid up by compensation with claims of 250,000 francs against the company; the company has also created 50 new vouchers; share capital, fully paid up, is currently 750,000 francs, divided into 150 shares of 5,000 francs each, and the number of vouchers is currently 150; Numa-Aurèle Jeannin was appointed second managing director; the company is represented by the managing directors Numa-Augustin Jeannin and Numa-Auréle Jeannin, signing individually, as well as by the other directors André-Paul Jeannin and Edouard Jeannin, signing collectively in pairs, or with one of the proxies Louise Jeannin née Marchand and Ernest Strahm
• 1911 - The Numa Jeannin factory on Rue de l'Hôpital is expanded
• 1958, July - Following the death of Numa-Augustin Jeannin, Numa-Aurèle Jeannin is promoted to President of the board, André-Paul Jeannin becomes vice-president, and Edouard Jeannin and Louise Jeannin née Marchand remain on the board
• 1961, October 29 - André-Paul Jeannin dies
• 1962, February - Following the death of André-Paul Jeannin, Edouard Jeannin is appointed vice-president of the board of directors; collective power of attorney for two is conferred on Charles Reussner and Arno Heggli
• 1968, September - Louise Jeannin-Marchand and Ernest Strahm have resigned, while Walter-Auguste Schneider joins with power of two
• 1972, October - The signature of Walter-Auguste Schneider is removed
• 1974, July - Paul-Roger Buchle was appointed a proxy with a collective signature of two
• 1985, July 9 - Edouard Jeannin dies
• 1989, January 15 - Numa-Aurèle Jeannin dies