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The '''Leonidas Watch Factory''' | The '''Leonidas Watch Factory''' traces its origins to [[1841]] in [[Saint-Imier]] and was merged with [[Heuer]] in [[1964]]. It was a large-scale producer of [[chronograph]]s and [[stop watch]]es and is associated with the [[Bourquin]] family and [[Beau-Site]] area of the town. | ||
==Julien Bourquin== | |||
The Leonidas company traces its roots to the year [[1841]], when Julien Bourquin began making watches in [[Saint-Imier]]. Bourquin is listed in Indicateur Davoine as early as [[1842]] in the town, along with Calame (no longer listed after [[1844]]) and Fs-H. Bourquin (noted as "Maison à Londres" and appears to relocate to [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] soon after). Bourquin Frères appears in [[1847]] and [[1848]], and Julien continued to be listed alone beyond this date. In [[1851]] we see Bourquin listed as "Adolphe" but this appears to be an error as Julien is listed in other years. In [[1867]], Bourquin's production is noted as "fabricant ... et aroenterie et bijouterie" (maker of watches, silverware, and jewelry) and his address is shown for the first time as being Grand Rue 6. | |||
==Ferdinand Bourquin== | |||
Ferdinand Bourquin is listed as successor to Julien Bourquin in [[1886]]. Still located at Grande Rue, his address is now shown as 111 but it is likely that he did not move from his father's shop since the buildings were renumbered in the early 1880s. This is shown as being "Grande'rue 2 (111)" in [[1893]] and "Grand'rue 29" the following year. The first advertisement for Ferdinand Bourquin appears in [[1895]] and declares this is "Ancienne Maison Julien Bourquin Fondée en 1841", leaving little doubt to the continuity. Bourquin lists '''La Popular''' as his brand and specifies that he specializes in anchor watches of beauty and quality in 13, 16, and 19 ligne sizes, along with [[chronograph]]s and [[stop watch]]es. | |||
In [[1901]], Ferdinand Bourquin relocated to Rue des Roses 2, a growing factory also used by [[Ernest Degoumois]] at that time and the future home of the [[Fluckiger]] dial company. | |||
He then relocates again to a new larger factory, Fabrique de Beau-Site, on the opposite side of town. This would become the home of Bourquin's successor company, Leonidas, through the 1980s. | |||
==Leonidas Watch Factory== | |||
The '''Leonidas''' name first appears in [[1902]] in an advertisement for Ferdinand Bourquin's Fabrique d'Horlogerie Beau-Site. It is clear that this brand is used primarily on precision 18 ligne anchor watches, a higher-end product for the company that also produced stopwatches and cheaper patented chronographs as well as a variety of watches under the '''La Popular''' brand. | |||
In [[1903]], Leonidas is advertised being solely represented by J.-H. Jeanneret, and the company is shown to produce chronographs, stop watches, and extra-thin watches. It appears that Jeanneret had purchased a share of the company at this time, though this is not well documented. Leonidas no longer advertises in La Fédération Horlogère after [[1904]] but the company undoubtedly continued in operation. The company secured design patents in [[1907]] and [[1908]] under the name, "Leonidas Watch Factory, Vve Ferdinand Bourquin" suggesting that Bourquin's widow was still in control of the company at that time. A [[1909]] patent shows only "Leonidas Watch Factory", and the other patents were reassigned that year as well, suggesting a change of ownership. | |||
==Constant Jeanneret-Droz== | |||
[[1912]] Leonidas is purchased by Constant Jeanneret-Droz, one of the three sons of the [[Excelsior Park]] founder Jules Frédéric Jeanneret. Jeanneret-Drop merged it with his '''Junior''' brand, and this appears to have displaced La Popular as the lower-priced brand. They produced precision anchor watches in both normal and ultra-thin models and specialized in chronographs and stop watches and also produced 1 and 8 day automobile dashboard watches, which was a trend at the time. We see the first advertisements for a Leonidas wristwatch in [[1916]]. | |||
In [[1930]], Leonidas and [[Berna]] were combined, with the latter taking residence along with [[High Life]] at Beau-Site 8. Berna at that time specialized in stop watches and chronographs as well, and was differentiated by their patented parts container which was encased inside the movement. This combination was initially publicized as "Leonidas et Berna" but the two companies were advertised independently after [[1932]]. | |||
This should therefore have been the reason that Leonidas produced quite outstanding [[chronograph]] movements, because Jeanneret-Droz brought the necessary know-how with him. But Leonidas also manufactured instruments used in the automotive and aerospace areas. | |||
==Heuer-Leonidas== | |||
On January 1, [[1964]] the companies '''Leonidas Watch Factory''' and [[Heuer|Ed. Heuer]] merge. For a long time the watches are sold under the name 'HEUER LEONIDAS'. After [[Heuer]] became [[TAG Heuer]], the name Leonidas disappeared. | |||
[[Category:Watch brands]] | [[Category:Watch brands]] | ||
[[Category:Saint-Imier]] | |||
[[Category:Manufacturers L]] | [[Category:Manufacturers L]] | ||
[[Category:Watch brands Switzerland]] | [[Category:Watch brands Switzerland]] | ||
Revision as of 15:17, 3 September 2021
The Leonidas Watch Factory traces its origins to 1841 in Saint-Imier and was merged with Heuer in 1964. It was a large-scale producer of chronographs and stop watches and is associated with the Bourquin family and Beau-Site area of the town.
Julien Bourquin
The Leonidas company traces its roots to the year 1841, when Julien Bourquin began making watches in Saint-Imier. Bourquin is listed in Indicateur Davoine as early as 1842 in the town, along with Calame (no longer listed after 1844) and Fs-H. Bourquin (noted as "Maison à Londres" and appears to relocate to La Chaux-de-Fonds soon after). Bourquin Frères appears in 1847 and 1848, and Julien continued to be listed alone beyond this date. In 1851 we see Bourquin listed as "Adolphe" but this appears to be an error as Julien is listed in other years. In 1867, Bourquin's production is noted as "fabricant ... et aroenterie et bijouterie" (maker of watches, silverware, and jewelry) and his address is shown for the first time as being Grand Rue 6.
Ferdinand Bourquin
Ferdinand Bourquin is listed as successor to Julien Bourquin in 1886. Still located at Grande Rue, his address is now shown as 111 but it is likely that he did not move from his father's shop since the buildings were renumbered in the early 1880s. This is shown as being "Grande'rue 2 (111)" in 1893 and "Grand'rue 29" the following year. The first advertisement for Ferdinand Bourquin appears in 1895 and declares this is "Ancienne Maison Julien Bourquin Fondée en 1841", leaving little doubt to the continuity. Bourquin lists La Popular as his brand and specifies that he specializes in anchor watches of beauty and quality in 13, 16, and 19 ligne sizes, along with chronographs and stop watches.
In 1901, Ferdinand Bourquin relocated to Rue des Roses 2, a growing factory also used by Ernest Degoumois at that time and the future home of the Fluckiger dial company. He then relocates again to a new larger factory, Fabrique de Beau-Site, on the opposite side of town. This would become the home of Bourquin's successor company, Leonidas, through the 1980s.
Leonidas Watch Factory
The Leonidas name first appears in 1902 in an advertisement for Ferdinand Bourquin's Fabrique d'Horlogerie Beau-Site. It is clear that this brand is used primarily on precision 18 ligne anchor watches, a higher-end product for the company that also produced stopwatches and cheaper patented chronographs as well as a variety of watches under the La Popular brand.
In 1903, Leonidas is advertised being solely represented by J.-H. Jeanneret, and the company is shown to produce chronographs, stop watches, and extra-thin watches. It appears that Jeanneret had purchased a share of the company at this time, though this is not well documented. Leonidas no longer advertises in La Fédération Horlogère after 1904 but the company undoubtedly continued in operation. The company secured design patents in 1907 and 1908 under the name, "Leonidas Watch Factory, Vve Ferdinand Bourquin" suggesting that Bourquin's widow was still in control of the company at that time. A 1909 patent shows only "Leonidas Watch Factory", and the other patents were reassigned that year as well, suggesting a change of ownership.
Constant Jeanneret-Droz
1912 Leonidas is purchased by Constant Jeanneret-Droz, one of the three sons of the Excelsior Park founder Jules Frédéric Jeanneret. Jeanneret-Drop merged it with his Junior brand, and this appears to have displaced La Popular as the lower-priced brand. They produced precision anchor watches in both normal and ultra-thin models and specialized in chronographs and stop watches and also produced 1 and 8 day automobile dashboard watches, which was a trend at the time. We see the first advertisements for a Leonidas wristwatch in 1916.
In 1930, Leonidas and Berna were combined, with the latter taking residence along with High Life at Beau-Site 8. Berna at that time specialized in stop watches and chronographs as well, and was differentiated by their patented parts container which was encased inside the movement. This combination was initially publicized as "Leonidas et Berna" but the two companies were advertised independently after 1932.
This should therefore have been the reason that Leonidas produced quite outstanding chronograph movements, because Jeanneret-Droz brought the necessary know-how with him. But Leonidas also manufactured instruments used in the automotive and aerospace areas.
Heuer-Leonidas
On January 1, 1964 the companies Leonidas Watch Factory and Ed. Heuer merge. For a long time the watches are sold under the name 'HEUER LEONIDAS'. After Heuer became TAG Heuer, the name Leonidas disappeared.