Aero Watch

Aero Watch (often spelled Aéro) was a watch brand in Neuchâtel founded by Jean Grandy in 1937 and operated by Maxime Crevoisier from 1942 through 1973.

Early History

The company today traces its roots to 1910 and the La Chaux-de-Fonds firm of Fédéral Watch founded by the Gutmann family. It further claims that the firm moved to Fleurier in 1935 and was transferred to Neuchâtel less than a year later. But there is no contemporary reference connecting Erwin Hirt's Aero Watch Co. (first mentioned in 1936) with Fleurier, La Chaux-de-Fonds, or the Gutmann family. And there is no use or registration for the Aero, Aerowatch, Aero Watch, or Montres Aero brands prior to 1936.

Hirt & Cie, Montres Aero was established on December 1, 1937 by Erwin Hirt, with Jean Grandy initially as a limited partner. The company was focused on purchase, sale, and export of finished watches and was located at Rue de la Côte 57a in Neuchâtel. Hirt left the company in December 1939, with Grandy solely in charge of the firm, now officially called J. Grandy, Montres Aéro.

J. Grandy, Montres Aéro registered the Pilatus trademark on August 22, 1941, and this was transferred to Aéro Watch in December 1945.

Crevoisier Family

In December 1942, Maxime Crevoisier joined Aero Watch with founder Jean Grandy as the company was reorganized as Grandy et Crevoisier, Montres Aero. He moved the company to Rue Saint-Honoré 1 by 1943.

The firm was reorganized it as a Société Anonyme called Aéro Watch SA on June 15, 1945 with 52,000 francs of capital. Both Crevoisier (president) and Grandy (secretary) remained with the company, and each took a substantial payment from the conversion. The firm immediately established a workers fund and raised additional capital in 1947, reaching 100,000 francs. Jean Grandy left the company in November 1951, with Crevoisier solely in charge. Grandy formed a new company in 1952 in his own name to sell and export watches, which continued in operation until 1963.

Aéro Watch SA officially registered the Aero Watch brand name as well as a stylized logo featuring an airplane on December 12, 1945. A trademark for Aereo was added on March 15, 1948.

Crevoisier's villa was robbed in early August 1952. The thief, who was quickly apprehended, took the keys to the Aero Watch factory, which had recently relocated to Chausée de la Boine 20, and stole 22,000 francs worth of watches. This was a major news story at the time, as the perpetrator was well known for robbing other houses in Neuchâtel.

The trademark Aeromatic was established on June 16, 1952, suggesting that the company was entering the market for automatic watches. A trademark for Aero Seven Seas, registered January 17, 1957, shows the company entering the market for dive watches. The next new market was the Aero Electrodyn, registered May 3, 1960, for electric watches. Another brand, Aeronautic, was added December 21, 1966, and the Arsenal brand was acquired from Admes SA of Geneva in 1969. Crevoisier established the brand as a maker of pocket and pendant watches, including one of the largest collections of pocket watches in Europe. In 1959, Maxime Crevoisier handed control to his son, Georges Carlos Crevoisier. He became an administrator of Aero SA in 1964. Georges "was a gentleman, who built solid contacts with his clients around the world" according to present owner Jean-Sébastien Bolzli. Meta Bertha Diener joined as administrator in 1973.

Following Maxime Crevoisier's death, Georges Crevoisier became chairman, with Anita-Elisabeth Golay (née Crevoisier) becoming secretary and Yolande-Josy Poulain (née Crevoisier) joining the board as well.

Bolzli Family

The company was purchased in 2001 by the Bolzli family, who transferred it to Le Noirmont, home of Maxime Crevoisier. The family then moved it to Saignelégier in 2008. Since 2005, Denis Bolzli's three children have run the company: Jean-Sébastien is responsible for marketing and sales, Frederic for product creation and development, and Adeline manages the administration. The young team has diversified the range by making the shift from pocketwatches to wristwatches.

As of 2010, when it celebrated its centennary, Aerowatch (as the name is now styled) has 18 employees and produces mechanical and quartz watches in a "timeless" style combining tradition and modernity. The watches are assembled in a workshop located in the former Hôtel du Parc de Saignelégier. The company is focused on export, including to Japan and Germany and is focused on "independence, a family spirit, and affordable prices."

Address

Aéro-Watch SA
Rue des Sommetres 8
CH-2350 Saignelégier

Tel. +41 32 / 953 20 10
Fax +41 32 / 953 20 11

Weblinks

• Aéro-Watch SA