Fédéral Watch

Fédéral Watch was the name used by the Gutmann family of La Chaux-de-Fonds from 1909.

Jacob Gutmann

Jacob Gutmann was active as a watchmaker at Léopold-Robert 14 in La Chaux-de-Fonds by 1883. He brought his son André Gutmann into the firm by December 1896.

Gutmann & Cie

Jacob Gutmann brought his son André Gutmann in to a partnership known as Gutmann & Cie. on July 1, 1900. The company focused on the manufacture, purchase, and sale of watches and was located at Léopold-Robert 14.

Fédéral Watch

Following the death of the Jacob Gutmann Gutmann & Cie. was reorganized as Gutmann & Cie, Fédéral Watch Co. The company was officially started on June 1, 1909, under sons André Gutmann and Henri Gutmann. The company focused on manufacture, purchase, and sale of watches and was located at Rue Léopold-Robert 73.

The use of the name Fédéral Watch is surprising, since "The Federal Watch" was registered in 1901 by R. Picard and renewed by their successor company, Invicta, in 1940. The modern Aerowatch claims that Gutmann is the predecessor to their company, using the brand name Aero Watch as early as 1910, though it is difficult to establish a connection to the Aero Watch firm founded in Neuchâtel in 1937.