History and Legacy of the Maison Horlogère Courvoisier®

Over 200 Years of Watchmaking History

Beginnings and Foundation:

The Courvoisier House has its roots in the work of Josué Robert (1691-1771), a distinguished watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds. He was the first to be awarded a watchmaker’s patent by the King of Prussia in 1725. After his passing, his sons David and Louis-Benjamin Robert took over the family business.

Expansion and Partnership:

Following David’s death in 1769, Louis-Benjamin assumed control of the business alongside his father, operating under the name “Josué Robert et fils.” After Louis-Benjamin died in 1781, his widow Charlotte Robert and their son Aimé Robert continued the enterprise, collaborating with Louis Courvoisier, Jean-Pierre Robert, and Florien Sandoz.

Name Change in 1787:

A significant milestone for the company occurred in 1787 when it rebranded as “Courvoisier et Cie.” This change highlighted Louis Courvoisier’s growing influence within the House and marked the expansion of their offerings to include watches in addition to clocks. Aimé Robert, known for his expertise in musical clocks, took on the responsibility of attending fairs in Germany and France, while Louis Courvoisier oversaw production in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Geneva (then part of France) and made occasional trips to Italy.

Challenges and Adaptations:

Although the relationship between Aimé Robert and Louis Courvoisier was polite, it lacked a personal connection, leading to rising tensions between their families. In 1803, a proposed agreement with a merchant in Naples highlighted strict sales principles but also sparked disagreements. Aimé Robert felt sidelined in decisions regarding new arrangements in Italy, which worsened internal strife. By 1804, these tensions escalated, with complaints about laboratory expenses and business management. Aimé was also adamant about bringing his son Louis into the business.

Name Change in 1787:

In 1787, the company reached a significant milestone by adopting the name “Courvoisier et Cie.” This change highlighted Louis Courvoisier’s growing role within the House and marked the expansion of their product line to include watches alongside clocks. Aimé Robert, an expert in musical clocks, handled most of the trips to fairs in Germany and France, while Louis Courvoisier oversaw production in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Geneva (which was part of France at that time) and occasionally traveled to Italy.

Challenges and Adaptations:

Although the relationship between Aimé Robert and Louis Courvoisier was polite, it lacked warmth, leading to rising tensions between their families. In 1803, a proposed agreement with a merchant in Naples showcased strict sales principles but also sparked disagreements. Aimé Robert felt sidelined in decisions about new arrangements in Italy, which worsened internal conflicts. By 1804, these tensions escalated, with complaints about laboratory expenses and business management. Aimé also pushed for his son Louis to be integrated into the business.

Separation in 1811:

In 1811, Aimé Robert departed from the company, which then rebranded as Courvoisier & Co, with Louis Courvoisier at the helm, supported by Philippe Ducommun and Philibert Humbert-Droz. The subsequent years were challenging for the Swiss watchmaking industry, but the company successfully established a presence in the Russian market.

Evolution and New Markets:

By 1820, the company began focusing on the Russian market, which proved to be a wise decision. In 1832, following Louis Courvoisier’s death, his sons Henri-Louis, Frédéric-Alexandre (Fritz), and Philippe-Auguste took over the business. Fritz embarked on significant business trips to Saint Petersburg and Moscow in 1833 and 1837, forging important relationships.

Period of Growth and Recognition:

In 1845, the company was renamed Courvoisier Frères, under the leadership of Henri-Louis and Philippe-Auguste Courvoisier. By 1852, they had formed a partnership with Henri-Edouard, Louis-Philippe, and Jules-Ferdinand, the sons of Henri-Louis. By the end of the 19th century, Courvoisier had shifted its primary focus to watchmaking.

Family Continuity and Reputation:

The company was subsequently managed by the sons of Louis-Philippe, Louis Courvoisier-Guinand and Emile Courvoisier-Gallet. In 1862, Courvoisier established the first watchmaking school in France, located in Besançon. In 1883, Courvoisier Frères was awarded a diploma for its production of pocket chronometers and winding watches. At the dawn of the 20th century, Emile retired, leaving Louis Courvoisier-Guinand to run the company alongside his son, now known as Courvoisier & Son.

Manufacturing and Innovating:

The company produced its own movements while importing cases from Paris, also collaborating with retailers like Louis-Martin Froidevaux in Bern. Their partnership with Maillardet for bird cages and the ongoing production of music boxes after the split between the Roberts and the Courvoisiers in 1811 highlight their expertise and capabilities. In 1905, Courvoisier introduced the Mobilis pocket watch, featuring a tourbillon mechanism based on Swiss patent CH30754 by Paul Loichet. This watch is distinctive because the tourbillon is visible on the dial side of the movement. Its straightforward design earned it the nickname ‘People’s Tourbillon.’ Today, these watches are highly prized by collectors.