Fernand Roblin

Fernand Roblin (about 1891-1957) was a French professor and businessman who became technical director of the Tavannes Watch Co and Cyma in the 1930s. He was the husband of Betty Sandoz, grand-daughter of the founder, Henri Sandoz.

Early Life

Fernand-Adrien Roblin was born about 1891 in Lorraine, France. He studied in Nancy, France. He served as a soldier during World War I and was wounded in battle and taken prisoner. He was interned in Switzerland from 1914 to 1918. After the war he settled in Tavannes, where he lead the fundraising for a soldiers' memorial in Chaindon in 1919.

Roblin became an honorary member of the French Academy of Officers in 1926. A professor of applied sciences, Roblin gave public talks to raise interest in the history of the Lorraine region. In March 1924 he gave a talk for the Emulation Society in Porrentruy on "the manufacture of cast iron and steel, or Lorraine iron and Ruhr coke". The talk focused on Germany's attempt to take over this region during the war, and how it helped the country build its industrial capacity. He gave a similar talk in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1931. The French government made him a Public Education Officer in 1934 for his efforts. He was also president of the French Charitable Society of Switzerland in this period. He would ultimately be named a knight of the Order of the Legion of Honor in 1947 for this work.

Tavannes Watch and Cyma

On June 7, 1920, Roblin married Berthe-Irène "Betty" Sandoz, daughter of Henri Sandoz-Mamie, heir to the Tavannes Watch Co founded by her grandfather. Roblin quickly joined the firm, being listed as a manager by 1924.

In March of 1930, Roblin was added to the board of directors of Cyma Watch Co under chairman Isaac Schwob and vice-chairman Théodore Schwob. By January 1931, Roblin was listed as technical director of the Tavannes Watch company in his professional biography.

Roblin's position entailed day-to-day management of employees at the factory, and this made him an object of focus for them as the global economic downturn began to affect the company. He was responsible for reviewing and approving unemployment claims, which were based directly on family size and need. On the morning of January 16, 1933, an unknown assailant broke a window at the Roblin home (likely Rue du Foyer 2) and planted a pipe bomb. The crude device exploded, damaging the house but not harming Roblin or his family. The crime was never solved.

In August 1933, following the removal of Henri Sandoz-Mamie's management authority, Roblin was given power of attorney at Tavannes Watch Co, with collective signature with William Egger. This also followed the death of Nephtali Woog and Anatole Schwob.

From 1936 through 1938, Roblin was president of the Prévôté section of the Société Jurassienne d'Émulation.

On January 26, 1943, Tavannes Watch Co established a formal workers' fund as an external organization. Eugène Romy was named president with Fernand Roblin and Evald Saunier completing the board.

The share capital of Cyma was increased to 50,000 francs (still a modest amount) on December 14, 1943. Fernand Roblin left the board at this time along with Isaac and Théodore Schwob, leaving Eugène Romy solely in charge.

Roblin retired from the board of Tavannes Watch Co in November of 1948. He left the workers fund board in February of the following year.

In 1947 Roblin moved to Colmar, where he continued to speak and travel throughout the Jura region. After World War II he lead a delegation to re-trace the progress of French and German soldiers. He loved Goumois, France, where he would come to fish, and was laid to rest there following his death on February 20, 1957.