La Concorde

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La Concorde was the name used in the early 20th century for the Le Locle-based assortiment factory established in 1850 by the Huguenin brothers that became the foundation for Nivarox-FAR.

In 1850, the brothers Williams Huguenin-Virchaux and Charles-Louis Huguenin-Virchaux came from La Brévine to settle in Le Locle to produce assortiments for watches at Quartier du Progrès 59. Their earliest products included the anchor and escape wheel needed to produce watches. After his death, Charles-Louis Huguenin's widow Sophie took over managing the firm in 1885 until her sons were old enough.

Charles-Louis Huguenin (1869-1940) and his brother Charles-Adolphe Huguenin-Perrenoud took over the family business in 1892. Officially called "Chs et Ls Huguenin," it was commonly called Fabrique d'Assortiments pour Echappements à Ancres. At this time it was located at 59 and 60 Quartier Neuf in Le Locle. Under their leadership, the company acquired a reputation for quality and became the largest such factory in Le Locle. It was later known by the brand name "La Concorde," named for the large factory building they built at Rue de la Concorde 29 in Le Locle.

Louis Huguenin's contributions to the watchmaking industry extended beyond his own company, and he replaced Jules Huguenin on the board of Fabriques de Spiraux Réunies in 1897 following his death. He would press for greater consolidation following the establishment of FSR and was a driving force behind the setting up of watchmaking organizations. As part of FSR he was active in the conclusion of agreements and the constitution of ASUAG, where he was part of the management committee. He pressed for the creation of the Fabriques d'Assortiments Réunies, which took over his family firm and others in the 1930s, culminating with a monopoly on production of assortiments in 1945.

In 1917, Charles-Louis Huguenin-Virchaux brought his sons Louis-Edouard Huguenin-Jeanneret (1894-1973) and Charles-William Huguenin into ownership of the business. Louis Huguenin became especially involved in the industry and took over the firm in 1940 following his father's death. He had worked at La Concorde since 1914 and took over management with his brother when their father died. When Nivarox SA was formed in 1937, Louis Huguenin (junior) was named secretary of the board, a position he retained until 1972.

Louis Huguenin's son, Charles-Louis Huguenin continued the family work through the consolidation of all spring factories as Nivarox SA in 1976 and the consolidation of this with FAR and FBR as Nivarox-FAR in 1984.

Huguenin Family

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