Francis Aubry-Schaltenbrand

Francis Aubry-Schaltenbrand was a watchmaker and businessman in La Chaux-de-Fonds in the first half of the 20th century. The son of inventor Irénée Aubry, he initially created a namesake company, F. Aubry-Schaltenbrand, using his father's Neva brand before becoming involved in the Abra and Brota brands.

F. Aubry-Schaltenbrand

Francis Aubry was born in Muriaux about 1888, the third child and second son of Irénée Aubry. He married Eugénie Schaltenbrand, adopting her name for his business, F. Aubry-Schaltenbrand. This company was registered in January, 1911, as a maker of watches at Rue Léopold-Robert 74. He registered 29 models of letterpress in 1915.

His father Irénée Aubry formed a joint venture with Arthur Graizely and Ariste Godat called Aubry, Graizely & Godat in 1888 to produce and market Aubry's Hebdomas watch. This firm registered a trademark with the letters EVA in a shield under a thrice-pierced heart in June of that year. This company was dissolved in 1891 but Irénée Aubry registered a similar brand, Neva, on his own in January 1903. This brand was transferred to his son's company in November 1916 but then passed on to Zéligson Frères in May 1917. Francis Aubry-Schaltenbrand himself joined Léon Zéligson of Poland to form La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaking firm Controlex SA in April 1918. The pair joined Albert Bloch of France in an export firm focused on the Polish market in May 1919.

Francis' younger brother Arthur Aubry joined the firm as a manager in September 1917. He left the firm in February 1920 as it was failing, forming his own company. F. Aubry-Schaltenbrand failed in April.

Abra Watch Co.

Francis Aubry established another company, Abra Watch Co., on December 26, 1922. Originally located at Rue Léopold-Robert 74 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, it would relocate to Geneva in 1926. Abra quickly registered a number of brands, including Zabra, Abral, Abrama, Brada, and Bara in 1925, adding Wearwel, Webro, Metrose, and Weinstrum the following year. Another brand, Lucky Lindy Watch, appeared in 1927.

Polish merchant Mendel Weinziehr became an administrator in 1925. The pair moved the company to Rue de la Cloche 6 in Geneva in May 1926. Charles Grandjean replaced Francis Aubry in October of that year. The company relocated to Rue de la Bourse 10 in 1927, Rue du Vieux Collège 8 in 1932, and Place du Molard 4 in 1937. Abra failed and was liquidated in 1938.

Montres Brota

Eugénie died August 19, 1936 and Francis re-married Marguerite Hostettler on December 10, 1937.

Francis and Marguerite founded another watch company, Montres Brota, in January 1943, with Marcelle Monbaron.

Paul-Roger Meyer of Boecourt joined management in April 1947. Francis and Marguerite left the firm in 1951. The company remained in operation at least through 1965.

Francis Aubry-Schaltenbrand died on July 19, 1976.

See Also

• Irénée Aubry (Hebdomas)
• A. Aubry-Gostely (Gindrat-Delachaux and Brigos)