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[[File:Landeron Icon.png|right]]
'''Landeron''' was a Swiss watch movement maker in [[Le Landeron]] famous for [[chronograph]] movements.  
'''Landeron''' was a Swiss watch movement maker in [[Le Landeron]] famous for [[chronograph]] movements.  


==History==
==Hahn Frères==


The company began in [[1873]], formed by Charles Alfred Hahn and his brother Aimé Auguste Hahn, and called '''Charles Hahn & Cie'''. After the death of Charles Alfred in [[1875]], the company became known as '''Hahn Frères et Cie'''. They produced watches and watch movements as early as [[1883]] and won medals at [[Paris]] in [[1878]], [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in [[1881]], [[Geneva]] in [[1896]], and a gold medal in Paris in [[1900]] for their work.
[[Aimé-Auguste Hahn]] and David-Henri Tissot-Vougeux worked together under the name "Hahn et Tissot" in La Chaux-de-Fonds in the 1840s, but this business was dissolved on December 21, [[1844]].


Charles Hahn (son of the founder) had taken charge of the company by [[1898]], with it then known as '''Charles Hahn & Cie'''. The company was a maker of [[ebauche]]s and a finisher of movements and watches and could produce simple or [[complicated]] watches in Landeron. The company was producing [[chronograph]] movements by [[1923]] and acquired the patents of [[Breitling, Anatole|Anatole Breitling]] in [[1924]]. The company's growth lead many people to refer to it simply as '''Landeron''' by the 1910s.
Just 10 days later, on December 31, [[1844]], Aimé-Auguste and [[Charles-Alfred Hahn]] founded the firm of Hahn Frères. The company was established for the manufacture and trade of watches. The firm was located at rue de là Charrière 81 in La Chaux-de-Fonds until [[1859]], when it moved to number 2 on the same street.


On January 1, [[1875]], the brothers opened an [[ebauche]] factory in [[Le Landeron]] near Lake Neuchâtel, with the La Chaux-de-Fonds operation disappearing that same year. Some sources put this date at [[1873]], but contemporary references are specific that it was two years later.
[[Charles-Alfred Hahn]] died in [[1875]] or [[1876]], with his son [[Charles Hahn|Charles Hahn-Leuzinger]] taking his place.
By [[1879]], the factory of Hahn Frères in Le Landeron employed 100 workers and was powered by a 15 horsepower steam engine. That same year, on May 28, Aimé-Auguste Hahn and Charles Hahn formed a general partnership with [[Charles-Frédèric Couleru]] under the name "Hahn Frères & Cie", This company was responsible for operating the ebauche factory in Le Landeron.
The company was reorganized effective January 1, [[1883]], as "Hahn Frères & Cie." Still owned by [[Aimé-Auguste Hahn]] and his nephew [[Charles Hahn]], the company specialized on producing and finishing [[ebauche]]s.
==Charles Hahn & Cie==
[[File:1921 CHL mark.png|right|200px]]
Hahn Frères was dissolved on March 20, [[1889]], and was replaced on April 1 of that year by a new company called "Charles Hahn & Cie." The company was a partnership of [[Charles Hahn]] (son of the co-founder of the same name), unlimited partner, along with Laure Reutter (née Hahn) and Julie Hahn. Aimé-Auguste Hahn was not a director of the new company, though he was given power of attorney on June 20.
The company used a variety of rooster designs for its logo (a reference to the family name of Hahn) and traded under the names "Hahn", "C. Hahn", "Hahn Landeron", and simply "Landeron." The firm was expanded after 1900, with a new annex added on the east side. The firm soon converged to electric power as well, offering the old steam boiler for sale in [[1899]]. The new system must not have performed well since it was also offered for sale in [[1901]].
They produced watches and watch movements as early as [[1883]] and won medals at [[Paris]] in [[1878]], [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in [[1881]], [[Geneva]] in [[1896]], and a gold medal in Paris in [[1900]] for their work.
Laure Reutter retired from the company in [[1898]], taking her 30,000 francs of operating capital with her. [[Aimé-Auguste Hahn]] died in [[1905]].
In [[1907]], the third generation [[Charles Hahn|Charles-Alfred Hahn-Bürger]] joined the firm's management. He became the sole director on October 25, [[1912]], effectively taking control of his family's firm.
The company was a maker of [[ebauche]]s and a finisher of movements and watches and could produce simple or [[complicated]] watches in Landeron. The company was producing [[chronograph]] movements by [[1923]] and its growth lead many people to refer to it simply as '''Landeron''' by the 1910s.
In November [[1919]] the name of the company was modified to become "Charles Hahn & Cie, Fabrique d'Ebauches du Landeron."
==FHF and Ebauches SA==
[[File:Davoine 1927 0550 Hahn Landeron Ad.jpg|right|thumb|300px|This 1927 ad shows the factory and lists its major products]]
In [[1925]], Landeron merged with [[FHF|Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF)]], being renamed '''Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon, succursale du Landeron ci-devant Charles Hahn & Cie''' ("Landeron branch under Charles Hahn"). FHF/Landeron became a founding member of [[Ebauches SA]] in [[1926]].
In [[1925]], Landeron merged with [[FHF|Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF)]], being renamed '''Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon, succursale du Landeron ci-devant Charles Hahn & Cie''' ("Landeron branch under Charles Hahn"). FHF/Landeron became a founding member of [[Ebauches SA]] in [[1926]].


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In the 1960's, Landeron produced the first Swiss electric movement, [[Landeron 4750|Cal. 4750]]. It featured a battery-powered balance wheel rather than a mainspring.
In the 1960's, Landeron produced the first Swiss electric movement, [[Landeron 4750|Cal. 4750]]. It featured a battery-powered balance wheel rather than a mainspring.
==Landeron Swiss Movements==
Depa Luxury Distribution GmbH was established on April 23, [[2007]] and acquired the Landeron name in [[2015]]. According to the company, it retains "the rights to produce all Landeron movements" as well as the right to market these products under the historic Landeron name. The company officially changed its name to Landeron Swiss Movements on September 16, [[2022]], and is working to establish watch movement production at facilities in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] and [[Kaiseraugst]] [[as of 2024]]. The firm's stated intention is "to reintroduce the revered Landeron movements to the market."


==Movements==
==Movements==
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* [[Landeron 4750]] - Electro-mechanical balance wheel
* [[Landeron 4750]] - Electro-mechanical balance wheel
** Landeron 4750, 4751
** Landeron 4750, 4751
==Detailed Timeline==
* [[1883]], January 19 - [[Aimé-Auguste Hahn]] and [[Charles Hahn]] form the company Hahn Frères & Cie
* [[1889]], March 30 - The general partnership Hahn Frères & Cie is dissolved
* [[1889]], April 1 - A new firm called Charles Hahn & Cie is established by [[Charles Hahn]] and [[Laure Reutter]] (née Hahn), wife of [[Louis Reutter]] to take over the assets and liabilities of the former company
* [[1889]], June 20 - [[Aimé-Auguste Hahn]] takes power of attorney
* [[1898]], October 22 - [[Laure Reuters]] (née Hahn), wife of [[Louis Reutter]] leaves the firm with her 30,000 francs of capital
* [[1905]], September 25 - [[Aimé-Auguste Hahn]] is removed from managment
* [[1907]], November 14 - [[Charles Hahn]] (junior) joins management
* [[1912]], October 25 - [[Charles-Alfred Hahn]] (junior) takes over the company
* [[1919]], The company is renamed "Charles Hahn & Cie, Fabrique d'Ebauches du Landeron"
* [[1927]], August 31 - The factory officially becomes a branch of [[Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon]], called "Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon, Landeron branch"; the Board of Directors consists of [[Paul Robert]], [[Maurice Robert]], [[Raoul-Armand Goetschmann]], [[Auguste Roulet]], and [[Emile-Antoine Perrenoud]]; Maurice Robert is managing director, [[Sydney de Coulon]] and [[Jules Ganière]] are authorized representatives; [[Charles Hahn]] (junior) is manager and [[Emile Hahn]] is authorized representative
* [[1932]], June - The FHF branch in Landeron is reorganized with Emile Hahn solely in charge; Raoul-Armand Goetschmann and Auguste Roulet are no longer members of the board of directors of FHF or the Landeron branch; Sydney de Coulon, the elder Charles Hahn, and and the son Charles Hahn are removed from management
* [[1933]], May 12 - A different Charles Hahn watchmaking firm is established in Le Landeron by Charles-Alfred Hahn
* [[1934]], September - The firm of Charles Hahn & Cie, Fabrique d'Ebauches du Landeron is officially removed from the commercial register


[[Category:Ebauches SA]]
[[Category:Ebauches SA]]

Latest revision as of 21:19, 3 July 2024

Landeron was a Swiss watch movement maker in Le Landeron famous for chronograph movements.

Hahn Frères

Aimé-Auguste Hahn and David-Henri Tissot-Vougeux worked together under the name "Hahn et Tissot" in La Chaux-de-Fonds in the 1840s, but this business was dissolved on December 21, 1844.

Just 10 days later, on December 31, 1844, Aimé-Auguste and Charles-Alfred Hahn founded the firm of Hahn Frères. The company was established for the manufacture and trade of watches. The firm was located at rue de là Charrière 81 in La Chaux-de-Fonds until 1859, when it moved to number 2 on the same street.

On January 1, 1875, the brothers opened an ebauche factory in Le Landeron near Lake Neuchâtel, with the La Chaux-de-Fonds operation disappearing that same year. Some sources put this date at 1873, but contemporary references are specific that it was two years later.

Charles-Alfred Hahn died in 1875 or 1876, with his son Charles Hahn-Leuzinger taking his place.

By 1879, the factory of Hahn Frères in Le Landeron employed 100 workers and was powered by a 15 horsepower steam engine. That same year, on May 28, Aimé-Auguste Hahn and Charles Hahn formed a general partnership with Charles-Frédèric Couleru under the name "Hahn Frères & Cie", This company was responsible for operating the ebauche factory in Le Landeron.

The company was reorganized effective January 1, 1883, as "Hahn Frères & Cie." Still owned by Aimé-Auguste Hahn and his nephew Charles Hahn, the company specialized on producing and finishing ebauches.

Charles Hahn & Cie

Hahn Frères was dissolved on March 20, 1889, and was replaced on April 1 of that year by a new company called "Charles Hahn & Cie." The company was a partnership of Charles Hahn (son of the co-founder of the same name), unlimited partner, along with Laure Reutter (née Hahn) and Julie Hahn. Aimé-Auguste Hahn was not a director of the new company, though he was given power of attorney on June 20.

The company used a variety of rooster designs for its logo (a reference to the family name of Hahn) and traded under the names "Hahn", "C. Hahn", "Hahn Landeron", and simply "Landeron." The firm was expanded after 1900, with a new annex added on the east side. The firm soon converged to electric power as well, offering the old steam boiler for sale in 1899. The new system must not have performed well since it was also offered for sale in 1901.

They produced watches and watch movements as early as 1883 and won medals at Paris in 1878, La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1881, Geneva in 1896, and a gold medal in Paris in 1900 for their work.

Laure Reutter retired from the company in 1898, taking her 30,000 francs of operating capital with her. Aimé-Auguste Hahn died in 1905.

In 1907, the third generation Charles-Alfred Hahn-Bürger joined the firm's management. He became the sole director on October 25, 1912, effectively taking control of his family's firm.

The company was a maker of ebauches and a finisher of movements and watches and could produce simple or complicated watches in Landeron. The company was producing chronograph movements by 1923 and its growth lead many people to refer to it simply as Landeron by the 1910s.

In November 1919 the name of the company was modified to become "Charles Hahn & Cie, Fabrique d'Ebauches du Landeron."

FHF and Ebauches SA

This 1927 ad shows the factory and lists its major products

In 1925, Landeron merged with Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF), being renamed Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon, succursale du Landeron ci-devant Charles Hahn & Cie ("Landeron branch under Charles Hahn"). FHF/Landeron became a founding member of Ebauches SA in 1926.

Landeron's column wheel chronograph movements were famous, and the company supplied these movements to many militaries. Examples include Cal. 11 and 13 and the state-of-the-art Cal. 39. Because they held the Breitling patents, Landeron was the exclusive supplier of column wheel chronograph movements until their expiration in the 1930's.

Just before World War II, Landeron developed the first cam actuated chronograph. Their Cal. 47 had three pushers: One to start, another to stop, and a third to reset the counter. They refined this movement to become the two-pusher Cal. 48. This would become one of the most popular chronograph movements ever made, with more than 3.5 million examples produced between 1937 and 1970. The lower price of production compared to a column wheel model meant an average person could afford a chronograph for the first time.

In the 1960's, Landeron produced the first Swiss electric movement, Cal. 4750. It featured a battery-powered balance wheel rather than a mainspring.

Landeron Swiss Movements

Depa Luxury Distribution GmbH was established on April 23, 2007 and acquired the Landeron name in 2015. According to the company, it retains "the rights to produce all Landeron movements" as well as the right to market these products under the historic Landeron name. The company officially changed its name to Landeron Swiss Movements on September 16, 2022, and is working to establish watch movement production at facilities in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Kaiseraugst as of 2024. The firm's stated intention is "to reintroduce the revered Landeron movements to the market."

Movements

See also Category:Landeron calibres

Detailed Timeline

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