Schmelzi

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The Schmelzi factory complex is located in the heights above Grenchen, across Schild-Hugi Strasse from the Mühlestrasse complex used by A. Schild. It was home to Obrecht & Cie as well as the Baumgartner factory.

The Schmelzi factory complex in 1949
This 1908 advertisement shows the Obrecht & Cie factories in Grenchen, Como, Deitingen, and Bludenz

On July 1, 1903, the firm of P. Obrecht & Cie was dissolved and replaced by a new company, simply called Obrecht & Cie. This was a limited partnership between Adolf Obrecht and Peter Obrecht. Adolf was the unlimited partner, with Peter limited to his investment of 150,000 francs. The firm specialized in the construction and trade of ebauches, finishing, and finished watches, and was located at the Schmelzi factory complex in Grenchen, across the street from the Mühlestrasse factory used by A. Schild. This factory previously housed Baumgartner & Michel (successor to Friedli, Triebold & Cie), E. Vogt, Ruefli, Vogt & Cie, Affolder, Gygi & Cie, and (since at least 1883), P. Obrecht & Cie, and later was home to the Roskopf operation.

This 1913 advertisement features a different view of the Schmelzi factory