Société Suisse des Spiraux: Difference between revisions

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On July 28, [[1898]], the Société Suisse des Spiraux (SSS) was officially organized at an assembly of watchmakers. The group elected [[Louis-Constant Girard-Gallet]] (1855-1945), son of [[Girard-Perregaux]] founder [[Constant Girard]], as their first chairman. The first secretary was respected La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker [[Paul Ditisheim]] (1868-1945), best remembered today for the [[Solvil et Titus]] brand he later founded. Additionally, [[Louis Muller]] and [[Ernest Goering]] served as vice presidents and [[Edmond Picard]] as treasurer.
On July 28, [[1898]], the Société Suisse des Spiraux (SSS) was officially organized at an assembly of watchmakers. The group elected [[Louis-Constant Girard-Gallet]] (1855-1945), son of [[Girard-Perregaux]] founder [[Constant Girard]], as their first chairman. The first secretary was respected La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker [[Paul Ditisheim]] (1868-1945), best remembered today for the [[Solvil et Titus]] brand he later founded. Additionally, [[Louis Muller]] and [[Ernest Goering]] served as vice presidents and [[Edmond Picard]] as treasurer.


The organization was headquartered at Rue du Parc 8 in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] with a small factory established in the [[Montbrillant Watch Manufactory]]. Even at the first meeting the group decided to establish a second factory in Geneva, and the company boasted that both factories were operational by [[1900]].
The organization was headquartered at Rue du Parc 8 in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] with a small factory established in the [[Montbrillant Watch Manufactory]] at Chemin de Montbrillant 1. Even at the first meeting the group decided to establish a second factory in Geneva, and the company boasted that both factories were operational by [[1900]]. The La Chaux-de-Fonds operation was moved to Charrière 23, a small building used by various watchmakers for decades, on April 23, [[1902]], but this operation was closed by [[1908]]. The Geneva factory, Rue Coulouvrenière 40, would remain the sold site of production for SSS and remained in operation through the dissolution of the company in [[1955]].


Member companies were
Member companies were
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** July 15 - The start of the SSS is officially back-dated to this day, with a lifespan of 25 years
** July 15 - The start of the SSS is officially back-dated to this day, with a lifespan of 25 years
** July 28 - An assembly in La Chaux-de-Fonds officially ratifies the creation of Société Suisse des Spiraux (SSS); [[Louis-Constant Girard-Gallet]] is chairman and [[Paul Ditisheim]] is secretary, with [[Louis Muller]] and [[Ernest Goering]] as vice-presidents and [[Edmond Picard]] as treasurer
** July 28 - An assembly in La Chaux-de-Fonds officially ratifies the creation of Société Suisse des Spiraux (SSS); [[Louis-Constant Girard-Gallet]] is chairman and [[Paul Ditisheim]] is secretary, with [[Louis Muller]] and [[Ernest Goering]] as vice-presidents and [[Edmond Picard]] as treasurer
* [[1899]] - The factory in the [[Montbrillant Watch Manufactory]] in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] is producing soft and hardened springs under the Spiraux Trempés and Excelsior brands
* [[1900]] - The Geneva factory at Rue Coulouvrenière 40 is operational; SSS springs win a gold medal at the Paris Exposition
* [[1901]] - June 22 - [[Paul Ditisheim]] leaves the board of SSS with [[Albert Bourquin-Jaccard]] of [[Côte-au-Fees]] taking his place as secretary
* [[1901]] - June 22 - [[Paul Ditisheim]] leaves the board of SSS with [[Albert Bourquin-Jaccard]] of [[Côte-au-Fees]] taking his place as secretary
* [[1901]] - March 14 - A new round of funding is raised, with existing shared devalued by 40% and 24,000 francs of new shares added
* [[1901]] - March 14 - A new round of funding is raised, with existing shared devalued by 40% and 24,000 francs of new shares added
* [[1902]] - April 23 - SSS moves from Montbrillant 1 to Charrière 23 in La Chaux-de-Fonds
* [[1903]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich chronometer testing
* [[1904]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich and Geneva chronometer testing
* [[1905]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich and Geneva chronometer testing
* [[1906]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich chronometer testing
* [[1907]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich chronometer testing
* [[1908]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich and Geneva chronometer testing
* [[1909]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich chronometer testing
* [[1910]] - SSS Springs win first prize at the Greenwich chronometer testing
* [[1920]] - July 26 - The company is revised; the board of directors consists of [[Louis-Constant Girard-Gallet]] as president, [[Albert Bourquin-Jaccard]] as secretary, [[Emile Meyer]], [[Ernest Goering]], [[Charles Jeanneret]], [[Ariste Châtelain]], [[Louis Muller]], [[Charles Picard]], [[Hubert Rouge]], and [[Adolphe Eugène Redard]]
* [[1920]] - July 26 - The company is revised; the board of directors consists of [[Louis-Constant Girard-Gallet]] as president, [[Albert Bourquin-Jaccard]] as secretary, [[Emile Meyer]], [[Ernest Goering]], [[Charles Jeanneret]], [[Ariste Châtelain]], [[Louis Muller]], [[Charles Picard]], [[Hubert Rouge]], and [[Adolphe Eugène Redard]]
* [[1925]] - July 6 - [[Eugène Golay]] is added as director
* [[1925]] - July 6 - [[Eugène Golay]] is added as director

Revision as of 17:07, 19 March 2023

Société Suisse des Spiraux (SSS) is a balance spring factory created by major Swiss watch manufacturers to compete with the cartel known as Fabriques de Spiraux Réunies (FSR). The group succeeded in building a competitive factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds and producing springs for their own use, blunting the impact of the cartel.

Establishment

When the five largest makers of balance springs in Switzerland came together as a cartel to control the market in 1895 it was met with much controversy. The Fabriques de Spiraux Réunies (FSR) announced that they would immediately double the price of springs and would not allow any competition between member factories. They also bought out (or forced out of business) all other spring makers so watchmakers were forced to buy from a single central depot in Neuchâtel.

Fanned by incendiary articles in La Fédération Horlogère, a group of watchmakers immediately coalesced with the idea of creating a competing spring factory. 300 watchmakers contributed funding to the project, which ultimately raised 125,000 francs to start production of balance springs.

On July 28, 1898, the Société Suisse des Spiraux (SSS) was officially organized at an assembly of watchmakers. The group elected Louis-Constant Girard-Gallet (1855-1945), son of Girard-Perregaux founder Constant Girard, as their first chairman. The first secretary was respected La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker Paul Ditisheim (1868-1945), best remembered today for the Solvil et Titus brand he later founded. Additionally, Louis Muller and Ernest Goering served as vice presidents and Edmond Picard as treasurer.

The organization was headquartered at Rue du Parc 8 in La Chaux-de-Fonds with a small factory established in the Montbrillant Watch Manufactory at Chemin de Montbrillant 1. Even at the first meeting the group decided to establish a second factory in Geneva, and the company boasted that both factories were operational by 1900. The La Chaux-de-Fonds operation was moved to Charrière 23, a small building used by various watchmakers for decades, on April 23, 1902, but this operation was closed by 1908. The Geneva factory, Rue Coulouvrenière 40, would remain the sold site of production for SSS and remained in operation through the dissolution of the company in 1955.

Member companies were

Businessman Albert Bourquin-Jaccard (1860-1948) soon replaced Ditisheim as secretary, a position he held until his death in 1948. Although he was involved in watchmaking, Bourquin-Jaccard was more of an administrator and was owner of several buildings in La Chaux-de-Fonds as well as the local tramway.

Timeline

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