Irénee Aubry
Irénee Aubry was an inventor and watchmaker originally from Muriaux but working in La Chaux-de-Fonds throughout his career.
Paul-Joseph-Irénee Aubry was born in Muriaux, Switzerland around 1860. His father was likely Victor Aubry (1830?-May 30, 1898), and his siblings were likely Mrs. Boniface Girardin-Aubry, Paul Aubry, and Mrs. Alcide Taillard-Aubry. He married Elisa-Marie Jeandupeux around 1882. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April, 1932.
The 8-day movement was invented by Irénee Aubry of Saignelégier in 1888 in the Vallée de Joux in Switzerland. Aubry was originally from Muriaux but lived in La Ferrière by this time.
On May 20, 1888, Paul-Joseph-Irénée Aubry of Muriaux, Célestin-Arthur Graizely of la Ferrière, and Joseph-Ariste Godat of Les Bois formed a company called Aubry, Graizely & Godat in la Ferrière, to commercialize Aubry's design.
Aubry filed for a patent just 5 days after the Swiss Patent Office opened on November 14, 1889. The watch registered as CH88 was published on January 10, 1889, though it was not yet the final design. An addendum was registered on January 21, 1889, officially called CH88/2. This patent covered the basic design on the Hebdomas watch, including the open dial showing the balance and bridges and the full-diameter mainspring barrel.
The patent changed hands quickly: On February 17, 1889, patent CH88/2 was reassigned by Irénee Aubry to Aubry, Graizely, & Godat. Aubry formed a joint venture with Saignelégier watchmaker François Froidevaux on May 1, 1890 called Aubry & Froidevaux and left the partnership with Graizely and Godat on May 15, 1891, leaving patent CH88/2 to Aubry alone, as noted on June 2. Just 6 days later, Aubry licensed the patent to Ariste Godat, François Froidevaux, and Arthur Graizely. Finally, on December 1, Aubry & Froidevaux was dissolved, becoming F. Froidevaux alone. Froidevaux's company was dissolved on March 13, 1901, following his death. Ariste Godat's firm was dissolved on August 8, 1911.
Aubry's workshop was at Rue du Grenier 24 in La Chaux-de-Fonds and had a branch in Villers-le-Lac by 1906. At this time the company specialized in watches with a visible balance based on Aubry's patent. They produced watches with 8, 15, and 30 days power reserve in sizes from 14 to 20 ligne and 30 and 42 ligne, including some with central seconds.
The Aubry family moved to Chez-le-Bart on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel near Gorgier-Saint-Aubin in 1911 and moved the business there. At this point the company still produced watches with 8, 15, or 30 days power reserve in 11 or 18 line sizes, including an ultra-slim watch.
Irénee Aubry and his wife lived at least until 1932 when they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in La Chaux-de-Fonds at a family reunion in April. The couple had retired to Saint-Aubin. Both Irénee and his wife died before 1951.
The children of Irénee Aubry and Elisa-Marie included Victoria-Alice (known as Alice Perrenoud-Aubry, born late October 1892), Marc-Albert (born in late April 1894), Léon-Abel (known as Abel Aubry, born May 24, 1895, died November 11, 1955), and Charles-Louis (a baby born May 28, 1896 and died June 26). Other potential children include Eva Aubry (1882?-December 17, 1951), René Aubry-Rey, Francis Aubry, Mrs. Charles von Gunten-Aubry (Optician Charles von Gunten was born about 1884 and died July 12, 1955), Irène Müller-Aubry (born about 1890 and died July 7, 1982), Arthur Aubry-Gostely (born about 1891 and died December 28, 1984), and Henri Aubry-Brancher (born about 1903, married Héloïse Brancher, and died April 12, 1985).
Patents
- CH34981 - Pendulette à huit jours de marche
- CH39165, March 11, 1907 - Fond de boite de montre (licensed to Société Horlogére Reconvilier on April 18, 1908)
- CH40663, November 21, 1907 - Mouvement de montre
- CH44117, April 29, 1908 - Montre
- CH54707, January 13, 1911 - Mouvement de montre à marche de longue durée
- CH75676, November 23, 1916 - Montre à barillet fixe