W. Ruch & Cie
W. Ruch & Cie was a manufacturer of balance springs in Saint-Imier in the 1930s. The company was founded by Werner Ruch and his father Albert Ruch and became part of Fabrique de Spiraux Réunies before being split, with Reinhard Straumann's Nivarox SA, in 1937. Ruch remained in operation inside FSR through 1962.
Detailed Timeline
- 1929 - August 1 - W. Ruch & Cie is founded in Saint-Imier by Albert Ruch and his son Werner Ruch; Werner Ruch is primary partner while Albert's involvement is limited to 15,000 francs; the business is located at Rue de la Cure 13 in Saint-Imier
- 1931 - May 29 - The original company is purchased by a new Société Anonyme called W. Ruch & Cie; share capital is 100,000 francs, of with 44,000 were used to purchase the former company; Albert Ruch is the sole member to start with Werner Ruch granted power of attorney on July 13
- 1936 - January 22 - Following the death of Albert Ruch, a new board is constituted with Georges Perrenoud (president), and Werner Ruch; management is made up of accountant Georges Jacot, Paul Pingeon, and Werner Ruch
- 1936 - August 3 - Reinhard Straumann joins the board of directors
- 1937 - June 16 - The company is split, with Georges Perrenoud and Reinhard Straumann forming Nivarox SA with Georges Jacot and Paul Pingeon; W. Ruch & Cie. share capital is reduced from 100,000 to 50,000 francs by canceling 100 shares; Werner Ruch is the sole remaining director
- 1944 - October 30 - The company is purchased; Ernest Dubois, Gustave Ulrich, Louis Huguenin, and Werner Ruch make up the board
- 1952 - October 28 - Werner Ruch is killed in a car accident in France
- 1953 - December 22 - The company moves to Rue Jardinière 33 in La Chaux-de-Fonds; Ernest Dubois is president, and members are Gustave Ulrich and Louis Huguenin
- 1956 - W. Ruch & Cie is listed as a component of Fabrique de Spiraux Réunies