Derby: Difference between revisions
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Derby was a maker of [[ebauche]]s in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], part of [[Ebauches SA]]. | Derby was a maker of [[ebauche]]s in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], part of [[Ebauches SA]]. The company is descended from F. Wuilleumier of [[Renan]], which was later renamed [[Pedos]] and relocated to La Chaux-de-Fonds. Wuilleumier was a specialist in [[pedometer]]s and created one of the first [[automatic|self-winding]] watches in the 1880s. | ||
==Wuilleumier | ==Wuilleumier== | ||
Wuilleumier Frères was perhaps the most important watchmaker to arise in [[Renan]]. Started in [[1859]], F. Wuilleumier specialized in timers and measuring devices. Indeed, as early as [[1883]], Félic. Wuilleumier was producing pedometers as well as watches in Renan. | |||
An [[1889]] ad describes three important products of the company: | An [[1889]] ad describes three important products of the company: | ||
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* THE VELOCIMETER is a counter which is screwed to the axis of the wheel of the velocipede and which accurately reports the path traveled by the velocemen. Thanks to a brand new adjustment system, it can be adapted to any diameter of bicycle and tricycle wheels. | * THE VELOCIMETER is a counter which is screwed to the axis of the wheel of the velocipede and which accurately reports the path traveled by the velocemen. Thanks to a brand new adjustment system, it can be adapted to any diameter of bicycle and tricycle wheels. | ||
The company became known as Wuilleumier Frères | The company became known as Wuilleumier Frères by October [[1892]]. Medals include Antwerp 1885, Liverpool 1886, Paris 1889, Chicago 1893, and Geneva 1890. | ||
The company was registered as J.-Armand Wuilleumier on August 17, [[1925]]. | |||
An unrelated case-making firm called Wuilleumier Frères existed in [[Tramelan-Dessus]]. | An unrelated case-making firm called Wuilleumier Frères existed in [[Tramelan-Dessus]]. | ||
Revision as of 22:32, 4 August 2022
Derby was a maker of ebauches in La Chaux-de-Fonds, part of Ebauches SA. The company is descended from F. Wuilleumier of Renan, which was later renamed Pedos and relocated to La Chaux-de-Fonds. Wuilleumier was a specialist in pedometers and created one of the first self-winding watches in the 1880s.
Wuilleumier
Wuilleumier Frères was perhaps the most important watchmaker to arise in Renan. Started in 1859, F. Wuilleumier specialized in timers and measuring devices. Indeed, as early as 1883, Félic. Wuilleumier was producing pedometers as well as watches in Renan.
An 1889 ad describes three important products of the company:
- LA PERPÉTUELLE never asks to be rewound. Just wear it. Get up and come into the apartment is enough to wind her up for 24 hours. The piece has a small dial (pressure gauge) which indicates for how many hours the watch has been wound.
- THE PEDOMETER, the size and shape of a watch, indicates exactly the distance covered by a pedestrian. All you have to do is hang it in your pocket. The distance is indicated in kilometer, English, Russian, etc.
- THE VELOCIMETER is a counter which is screwed to the axis of the wheel of the velocipede and which accurately reports the path traveled by the velocemen. Thanks to a brand new adjustment system, it can be adapted to any diameter of bicycle and tricycle wheels.
The company became known as Wuilleumier Frères by October 1892. Medals include Antwerp 1885, Liverpool 1886, Paris 1889, Chicago 1893, and Geneva 1890.
The company was registered as J.-Armand Wuilleumier on August 17, 1925.
An unrelated case-making firm called Wuilleumier Frères existed in Tramelan-Dessus.
Pedos
The company changed its name to Pedos SA in 1929 to reflect its most popular product at the time. Administrators at this point were Louis Schorer of Wangen s. Aar and Fernand Hippenmeyer of Gottlieben. The company was headquartered at the J-Armand Wuilleumier factory in Renan. René Ruchti of Büren joined Pedos management in 1931.
The sales offices for Pedos relocated to La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1932 along with Ollendorf Watch Co, with both sharing the same office at Rue du Parc 105. But manufacturing remained in Renan. The company found modest success with pedometers and golf timers in the 1920s. In the 1930s, Pedos specialized in measuring and timing devices, including the calculigraphe, a 26 ligne calculation watch which replaces the slide rule, along with the cartometer, curvimeter, and pedometer. Pedos also offered a complete range of counters and chronographs, including a 12 ligne chronograph.
Pedos gained infamy as a target for Fidhor in 1934 and was convicted for violating export and price controls.
Derby
Pedos gave way to Derby in 1939, relocating the headquarters to La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1941. The sole administrator of the company was Louis Schorer, with Fernand and Edgar Hippenmeyer, Ernest Schorer, and René Ruchti removed. Derby SA was reorganized again in 1946, with Louis Schorer remaining as president and Henri Jeannot of Brenets, Virgile Juillerat of Granges, and Charles Gschwend of Bienne added.
Derby later found success as a specialist in electric and electronic movements as part of ETA.