Minerva Palace
The Minerva Palace is the name given to the large office building at Rue Léopold-Robert 66 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Built in 1914, it was named Minerva palace and constructed by a limited company called Minerva SA run by architect Leon Boillot. It was unrelated to the watch company of the same name.
The building has four full floors and an attic above ground level and is located directly across the boulevard from the Hôtel des Postes.
The Minerva Palace was home to many watchmakers over the years, notably Gallet & Co from 1924 through 1977.
Watchmaking Tenants
- 1916-1977 - Jean-Louis Bloch/René Bloch/Draga
- 1916-1920 - A. Eigeldinger Fils/Jacques Eigeldinger
- 1918-1938 - Talis Watch
- 1918-1933 - Rotherham & Sons
- 1918-1924 - Comptoir Montre Zénith
- 1920-1924 - Salomons Weyl & Cie
- 1922-1924 - Lunox Watch Material Co
- 1922-1924 - Moba Watch Co
- 1923-1924 - Bernheim & Luthy
- 1924-1977 - L. Gallet & Co
- 1927-1928 - Berex Watch Co
- 1930-1931 - Fountain Watch Co
- 1931-1969 - Albert Luthy/Alutex
- 1932-1933 - Montres Sans Remontoir (Rolls)
- 1932-1943 - Louis Grisel/Olor
- 1939-1940 - Almédy
- 1940-1977 - Auréole
- 1940-1942 - Vertex Watch
- 1943-1964 - Zibach
- 1944-1970 - Brigos
- 1944-1953 - Germinal
- 1945-1962 - Georges Dimier/Montres Uno
- 1946-1960 - Emile Calame/Montres Norma/Cattin, Bourquin & Cie
- 1950-1953 - Mediator Watch
- 1960-1983 - Dubey & Schaldenbrand