Pontifa

Pontifa was watch and clock brand in Les Ponts-de-Martel active from the 1910s through the 2000s. Some claim that the company was founded as early as 1850 but this is not supported by primary sources. Perhaps this date refers to the beginning of watch manufacturing by the Stauffer family or in Martel generally.

M. T. Stauffer-Jeune

M. T. (Marc-Timothée) Stauffer-Jeune (1874-1950) established his own watchmaking workshop in Ponts-de-Martel by 1916. The company sold a rattrapante chronograph under the Pontifa name by 1926 and also produced movements finished to the Geneva standard. Although not used until the 1920s, Pontifa would eventually become the name of the company and would remain in use for 8 decades.

Stauffer was born on January 21, 1874 and died November 8, 1950. He graduated with second-class honors with "repasseurs et remonteurs" from the watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1893. He married Harriet Hicks but was known as "Stauffer Jeune" or "the younger Stauffer".

Marc Leuthold

The business was continued by Marc A. Leuthold (1902-1963) through the 1960s. The company produced ultra-thin watches and alarm watches but specialized in travel alarm clocks and 8-day clocks. It also produced electric clocks by this time.

Leuthold died in 1963.

Pontifa SA

Pontifa SA continued to produce clocks in Les Ponts-de-Martel through the 2000s.