Aurore
Fabrique d'Ébauches Aurore was a watch movement factory in Villeret active from 1918 through 1975.
Fabrique d'Ébauches Aurore
On July 1, 1918, the Fabrique d'Ébauches Aurore began official operation. The factory would be located on the hill above Villeret on the opposite side of the railroad tracks from the rest of the village and was connected to La Chaux-de-Fonds as well.
The company was initially founded as a partnership between watchmaker William Bourquin of Villeret and mechanic Georges Guerrin of Epiquerez, with watchmaker Charles-Gérald Meyrat of Tramelan-Dessous and mechanic Marcel Cattin of Les Bois also participating. All four of the founders lived in Villeret near La Chaux-de-Fonds and were working to expand the success of the watchmaking city to their neighboring village. The official name of the firm was Guerrin, Bourquin et Cie., Fabrique d'ébauches Aurore, reflecting the primary partners.
The company soon registered a number of proprietary movement designs, all of which were compact and designed for ladies watches. This included a range of round, oval, and octagonal movements, which were updated in 1925 with a new barrel-shaped design. The firm also registered a trademark in the shape of the letters "AV" in a trapezoidal outline.
Fabrique d'Ebauches Bernoises
- See Also: Fabrique d'Ebauches Bernoises
Aurore was absorbed into the new Fabrique d'Ebauches Bernoises cooperative on June 7, 1927, officially becoming known as Fabrique d'Ebauches Bernoises S.A., Etablissement Aurore, à Villeret on September 29. The company was valued at 900,000 francs.