Société d'Horlogerie de Moutier

The Société d'Horlogerie de Moutier, called the Radium Watch Factory in the early 20th century, was an industrial watchmaking company in Moutier from 1849 through bankruptcy in 1914.

Watchmaking in Moutier began with the opening of the "Grande Fabrique" built on the banks of the Birse river at the western end of the village. This spot had previously housed various industries but the new factory erected in 1851 and 1852 housed about a hundred workers in one central building focused on roughing and finishing of watch movements. Because the cost of living was cheap, the work was simple and low-skilled, but this allowed the town to grow to about 1000 at this time.

The Moutier factory grew, producing cylinder escapements and pinions, and the building was enlarged. The factory began to produce complete watches, first key-wound and then crown-wound, between 1865 and 1870. At this point the Moutier company employed 500 workers and delivered 40,000 watches a year. By this time the population of the village of Moutier was 1,946. More specialized workshops were added in Moutier during this period, including a workshop for the manufacture of dials and another for gilding.

On June 30, 1873, the Société industrielle de Moutier was founded as a public limited company. The firm was renewed on November 22, 1882 until December 31, 1888 with 500,000 francs of share capital. The members of the board of directors were chairman Auguste Klaye of Moutier, vice chairman Charles Lehmann of Bienne, secretary Louis Chodat of Moutier, and Aimé Gobat of Crémines and Ernest Kinzelbach of Gerlafingen. The commercial commission consisted of Jacob Isely of Biel, Ernest Kinzelbach, and Louis Chodat. Benjamin Moser was treasurer, and Louis Gatschet was manager, both of Moutier.

By 1883, the company boasted branches in Bienne, Delémont, Bévilard, and Crémines in addition to the main factory in Moutier. The company manufactured complete watches as well as components, including rough and finished ebauches, key winding components, and more. These branches were added since production had exceeded the abilities of the workers in Moutier alone, with the branches in Bienne and Delémont handling watch finishing, Bévilard focused on the manufacture of sprockets, and Crémines on fine watchmaking screws. The company employed 800 workers by this time, manufacturing 488 dozen rough movements, 4081 dozen finished movements, 2032 dozen finished watches, 13340 dozen sprockets, and 17,400 dozen screws. These were exhibited at the Zürich fair, with many varieties shown, earning a diploma for this "important manufacture."

The company announced a new depot for ebauches and finished movements (including both key and crown wound movements) in Bienne on March 8, 1888. It was operated by J. Chopard-Kummer of Bienne.

On March 23, 1889, the company was renewed for unlimited duration with 300,000 francs share capital. Urs Heutschi of Solothurn and Albert Chopard of Sonvilier were managers. Louis Gatschet was head of the office and Benjamin Moser was treasurer-accountant. Louis Gatschet was removed in October 1892. Following general meetings of shareholders on September 30, 1891 and October 20, 1892, share capital was increased to 420,000 francs. In June 1898 Frédéric-Adolphe Maier of Muzenschwand replaced Benjamin Moser, who left the company. Urs Hentschi was replaced by [[Rodolphe Kohn] of Ravensbourg following his resignation in July 1899. According to an 1899 announcement, Mr. Haller was chairman of the board.

At a special general meeting on November 9, 1900, the company changed its official name to "Société Industrielle de Moutier (Ubrenfabrik Muenster) [Moutier Watch Company, limited]". Share capital was now 350,000 francs. Fritz Schwab joined management in 1901. At a meeting on September 23, 1902, accountant Louis Germiquet joined management while former director Albert Chopard and former proxy officer Frédéric-Adolphe Maier were removed. On April 7, 1903, share capital was reduced by 20% by reducing the value of each share from 500 to 400 francs. Director Rodolphe Kolm resigned at the end of July 1903, replaced by Robert Kaufmann. Fritz Schwab and Louis Germiquet resigned from the company on October 3, 1903 as a new accounting firm was added. Share capital was further reduced to 200,000 francs with a new liquidation procedure added on April 28, 1906.

By 1903, the factory in Moutier was using the "Radium" brand name. This new material was causing a sensation and the failing factory sought to capitalize on the craze by registering the brand. An advertisement featured a train with a Radium-branded watch at the front, suggesting that the firm was indeed touting the material's luminescent properties, though the properties of this material were still very early in their development. The company appears to have had exclusive use of this brand, at least in Switzerland, until 1909 when factories including LIP and Utinam began advertising watches with radium dials.

On March 17, 1908, the court in Moutier granted the factory limited bankruptcy protection. Director Robert Kaufmann was replaced by Theodore Wirz-Wyss of Solothurn in August 1908. At its General Assembly on June 17, 1910 the company changed its name to "Société d'Horlogerie de Moutier (Moutier Watch Co. Ltd., Radium Watch Co.)". It also converted bonds from a 1907 loan worth 75,000 francs into preferred shares, reducing share capital to 115,000 francs.

The factory had backed off from the Radium brand by 1910, offering watches under the Bellona, Adriana, Torpedo, Fasan, Chevalier, Satanella, Ozeanus, Taxa, and Empore names as well.

The Moutier-Grandval factory is listed in Indicateur Davoine through 1913.

On March 6, 1913 accountant Charles-Benjamin Augsburger was deregistered while Théodore Wirz-Wyss resigned. Manager Adolpbe Joray received sole signature. On December 12, 1913, the Moutier civil judge postponed bankruptcy until January 15. Mr. A. Weiss was appointed as curator of the bankrupt firm, focused on conservation of assets. Liquidation was repeatedly delayed but was finally set at August 3, 1914. A public auction of the bankrupt company was set for January 18, 1915. Five buildings were offered for sale, including the factory, office, and shed, along with a courtyard, orchard, and canal totaling 28 acres. Also included were the machines, turbines, transmissions, and other tools. The value of the buildings was estimated at 64,790 francs, while the tools were expected to fetch 18,564 francs. Creditors were directed to file their claims by January 15, 1916.

Société d'Horlogerie de Moutier (Moutier Watch Co.) also known as Radium Watch Co. failed on January 27, 1914 and was deleted on November 4. The company advertised that it was founded in 1849 suggesting that it was the successor to the original Grande Fabrique.

The Grande Fabrique was eventually torn down and replaced by the administrative building for André Bechler SA.