Reconvilier

Reconvilier (also spelled Reconvillier and Reconviller) is a small watchmaking town in the Vallée de Tavannes just east of the town of Tavannes and west of Malleray/Bévillard/Sorvillier.

The watchmaking industry developed in Reconvilier in the 1850s following the establishment of a lock on the river Birse to provide hydraulic power. The lock was created on the initiative of Dr. Emmanuel-Aimé Tièche, who sought economic development in the town. He quickly established an ebauche factory (which became Reconvilier Watch Company) and the first brass foundry in Switzerland (which became Bueche, Boillat et Cie, Boillat SA, and Swissmetal).

Notable Firms

• Reconvilier Watch Company (1853-1971)
  • Tièche Ebauches (1853-1870) - Maker of ebauches
  • Kuhn et Tièche (1870-1901) - Maker and finisher of ebauches
  • Société Horlogère Reconvilier (1901-1971) - Maker of complete watches
• Bueche, Boillat et Cie (1855-present) - Brass foundry
  • Ed. Boillat et Cie (1855-1910) - Maker and finisher of ebauches
• H. Frêne - Maker and finisher of ebauches
• M. Erismann-Schinz - Maker of watchmaking tools