Georges Schwob

Georges Schwob (1891-1979) was a watchmaker associated with Tavannes Watch Co and Cyma, which was funded by his family. His father Moïse Schwob and grandfather Joseph Schwob-Weill were also deeply involved in watchmaking as was most of his family.

Personal Life

Georges Schwob was born on November 1, 1891 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. His family were amateur musicians and artists and kept a salon at their home. Among their esteemed guests were Balzac and Marcel Proust, whom Georges knew as a youth. As a young man, Georges studied with Sprechner in Vienna, with Arthur Rubinstein as a fellow student.

On May 29, 1922 Georges married Cécile-Thérèse Ditesheim (March 10, 1903-August 13, 1960). Cécile was the daughter of Achille Ditesheim, founder of the company that would become Movado in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Like the Schwob family, the Ditesheims came from Alsace in Francs and became involved in watchmaking in the second half of the 19th century. George's family connections would support his vocation throughout his life.

Schwob was a strong supporter of civic life in La Chaux-de-Fonds, especially music. For sixty years he was involved in the military band "Les Armes Réunies", where he assumed the role of President of the Foundation and ultimately, along with his friend Georges Jaggi, honorary president. He was also president of the Music Society, and organized concerts, succeeding Tell Perrin in 1932. He invited many talented artists to the city, building lasting friendships with them.

Georges and Cécile Schwob brought up their children, Georges and Lucien, surrounded by art and literature. Following the path of his father, the family invited Backhaus, Lipatti, Iturbi, Rubinstein, and other famous artists to visit their home and music room. Harpsichordist Wanda Landowska was said to consider their house a second home, as pianist Youra Guller found Moïse's house. This was immortalized (if one can say so) in the novel by J.-P. Zimmermann "Le Concert Sans Orchestre", published in 1937. It focuses on the lively cultural environment of La Chaux-de-Fonds, with composer Félix Courvoisier, perhaps based on Schwob, takes in a strange pianist who passionately discusses Schumann's concerto of the same name. Others featured in the novel and the Schwob home include Madeleine Woog, Humbert-Ravens, and Le Corbusier.

Professional Life

It was said that Georges Schwob would have preferred to pursue art, but his family's success was tied to watchmaking. His father, Moïse Schwob, insisted that his son join the family business, and he poured himself into the field. Instead it was his brother Lucien who became a famous painter and collaborator with James Ensor and Monique Saint-Hélier.

Thanks to his family connections, Georges became involved in the watchmaking business as a young man. He was given signing authority for the firm Schwob & Cie, established by his grandfather, in 1914 at just 23 years of age. When the company incorporated in 1917, the 26 year old Georges Schwob became a member of the board of directors. He continued on the board of Schwob Frères & Cie SA when the two family companies merged in 1919.

Georges Schwob served as a representative of the Tavannes Watch Co and the Cyma brand as a young man. He traveled the world, including trips to Russia, Poland, and Spain, before taking management positions. He became a director of Cyma, then chairman of the Board of Directors for the company.

In 1925 the Schwob family formed another firm, Tadik SA, to sell various manufactured items. Georges joined the board of this company, which was lead by Isaac Schwob, Armand Schwob, his uncle Adrien Schwob, and Maurice Schwob.

Georges Schwob joined the board of directors for the Tavannes Watch Co in 1926. This came at the February 9 meeting which also saw three cousins from Morteau Francs join the board, Armand Schwob, René Schwob, and Maurice Schwob. It is likely that the family had invested more money int he firm at this time.

When Raphael Schwob and Arnold Schwob stepped back from the Tacy Watch company in 1936 their places were taken by René Schwob and Adrien Schwob, while Georges Schwob joined as secretary of the board.

Georges Schwob also joined the board of directors of the Tavannes Machines Co in 1940 alongside Armand Schwob and Maurice Schwob.

In 1947 Georges Schwob was added to the board of directors of Cyma. He served as vice president under president Armand Schwob and alongside secretary Théodore Schwob.

Also in 1947 the Schwob family formed an industrial holding company called Amir SA. Georges served as chairman of the board along with Maurice Schwob, Jean Schwob, and Pierre Schwob.

Schwob was a member of the Syndicat Patronal des Producteurs de la Montre à La Chaux-de-Fonds from 1952 until 1965. He served alongside Arthur Imhof, Charles Blum (Ebel), Charles Blum (Invicta), Georges Blum, Raymond Diddisheim, Charles Virchaux, Maxime Crevoisier, Jacques Cornu, Jean-Louis Borel, Paul Vermot, and many others. He was also a member of the Committee of the Swiss Chamber of Watchmaking.

Death

Georges Schwob died on August 13, 1979. His funeral was held in a music room and chaired by André Gendre, a long-time friend. André Schwarz, on behalf of Les Armes-Réunies, and Jean-Pierre Houriet, the new president of the music society, gave speeches on his qualities and activities. The ceremony featured musical interludes by Christine Dumont (on the organ) and famous violinist Henryk Szeryng, accompanied by Emile de Ceuninck. Finally, Les Armes-Réunies, lead by Commander Charles Frison, gave a fanfare.