Cristal

The Cristal Watch brand can trace its roots to Sonvilier watchmaker Paul-Emile Chopard who founded the future Solvil factory there for Paul Ditisheim in 1918. Chopard formed a watchmaking company in his own name in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1924 and this was taken over by Charles Flury in 1940.

Flury registered the Cristal brand in 1944 but this conflicted with that of a pre-existing watch glass manufacturer. That company took over the firm in 1951 as Vermot & Robert, Montres Cristal, shortly after Flury relocated to Corcelles. They quickly moved the company to Beau-Site 19 in Le Locle on June 1, 1951. The company moved back to La Chaux-de-Fonds, at Rue du Parc 137, in July 1959.

Cristal Watch was taken over by Schild et Cie of La Chaux-de-Fonds on November 1, 1963. But this unusual transaction also saw the exit of Werner Schild, former manager of the acquiring company, and the installation of all-new management including Henri Vermot of the acquired firm. Schild et Cie became Schild SA despite the exit of the founder.