Fabrique d'Ebauches de Peseux
Fabrique d'Ebauches de Peseux, S.A., commonly known as Peseux for the Neuchâtel locale in which it is located, was an ebauche maker dating to 1923. Peseux was incorporated into Ebauches SA in 1932 as part of the overall industry restructuring at that time. It remained independent within Ebauches, however, producing calibres for many watchmakers. Peseux was consolidated into Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon in 1979 and into the larger ETA conglomerate in 1985, with ebauche production moved to Grenchen.
The company was founded by Charles Berner (1892-1951), son of professor Paul Berner. After working in Val-de-Travers, Charles Berner settled in Peseux in 1923, taking over management of the ebauche factory there.
One of the best-known Peseux calibres was the hand-winding chronometer movement, Peseux 260. It was used by many high-end brands and was quite capable at chronometry competitions. Another well-known product is Calibre 7001, an ultra-thin hand-wound movement introduced in 1971 and still produced today.
Ebauches SA
- See Also: Ebauches SA
Peseux appears on the list of Ebauches SA members in 1933, and Charles Berner's death notice says that he collaborated with the cartel starting in 1932 suggesting that the company joined late in that year. There is no reference specifically to the merger in primary source literature or business registrations, but the company is widely reported as a member starting in 1933.
Founder Charles Berner remained administrator of the firm throughout this period and the company appears to have continued modest production of ebauches.
Charles Berner suffered a heart attack in August 1949 and was forced to retire from the factory. He was replaced by his son Francis Berner and Marc Colomb. Colomb would be removed in 1952 but Francis Berner stays with the firm for decades, taking over as administrator in 1971.
Following the death of Charles Berner on January 9, Ebauches SA president Sydney de Coulon takes over as chairman in 1951, with Philippe Jequier and Pierre-William DuBois serving as directors as well. Henri Ménétrey becomes managing director in 1958. DuBois replaces de Coulon as chairman in 1964.
The company was reorganized in 1975 with André Biner becoming chairman and other Ebauches SA managers joining as administrators. It was folded into FHF in 1979 along with FEF, Valjoux, Ebauches Tavannes, and Unitas.
Timeline
- 1923, August 8 - Fabrique d'Ebauches de Peseux SA is established in Peseux; share capital is 50,000 francs; Charles Berner is the sole administrator; the company is located at Rue de Neuchâtel 34 in Peseux
- 1932 - Charles Berner begins working to integrate the Peseux factory into Ebauches SA
- 1949, August - Following a heart attack, Charles Berner is forced to leave his company; Francis Berner and Marc Colomb are given power of attorney
- 1950, June 5 - Charles Berner is promoted from director to managing director; Francis Berner takes his place as director
- 1951, January 9 - Founder and president Charles Berner dies
- 1951 - Following the death of Charles Berner Sydney de Coulon becomes president with Philippe Jequier and Pierre-William DuBois as directors
- 1952 - Marc Colomb's power of attorney is removed
- 1958 - Henri Ménétrey is appointed managing director
- 1959 - Pierre-William DuBois has moved to Neuchâtel and director Francis Berner to Corcelles
- 1964 - Pierre-William DuBois is appointed chairman of the board of directors in place of Sydney de Coulon, who resigned
- 1968 - President Pierre-William DuBois and director Philippe Jéquier resigned; Léo DuPasquier becomes president and André Beiner joins as a director
- 1971 - Henri Ménétrey resigns as director; director Francis Berner becomes administrator as well; André Beiner has moved to Saint-Blaise
- 1975, August 29 - The company is reorganized; Léo DuPasquier resigns; André Biner becomes president of the administrative council, Pierre Albert Stueker, Marcel Huguenin, Louis Marius Rochat, and François Alfred Alain Sandoz are appointed administrators; Stucker and Sandoz are given power of attorney
- 1976 - Robert-Maurice Maire is appointed proxy
- 1979, April 6 - Fabrique d'Ebauches de Peseux, along with Fabrique d'Ebauches de Fleurier, Valjoux, Ebauches Tavannes, and Fabrique d'Ebauches Unitas are merged into Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon