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.

The company traces its roots to 1910 and the La Chaux-de-Fonds firm founded by the Gutmann family.

Aero Watch moved to Fleurier in 1935 but was transferred to Neuchâtel less than a year later.

Franc-Montagnard Denis Bolzli continued to develop these "man-to-man relationships" when he acquired the box in 2001 to install it in Noirmont, then in Saignelégier in 2008. "My predecessor really wanted to sell to a family. Aerowatch has never been part of a group. And this independence is becoming rare for watch companies.” Since 2005, the three Bolzli children have been at the heart of the company: Jean-Sébastien is responsible for marketing and sales, Fred-Eric for the creation and development of products and Adeline manages the administrative part. The young team has diversified the range by making the shift from pocket watch to wristwatch. /DWI

Hirt & Cie, Montres Aero was established on December 1, 1937 by Erwin Hirt. Jean Grandy was initially 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.

In December 1942, Maxime Crevoisier joined Aero Watch with founder Jean Grandy as the company was reorganized as Grandy et Crevoisier, Montres Aero. He reorganized the company 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 was located at Rue Saint-Honoré 1 in Neuchãtel. 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.

Aero Watch relocated to Chausée de la Boine 20 in October 1952. 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.

The company was purchased in 2001 by the Bolzli family, who transferred it to Saignelégier. It is operated by Denis Bolzli and his three children, Adeline, Jean-Sébastien and Frederic. 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."