Lot 147

Henri Grandjean & Cie.

A very fine precision hunting case pocket watch with pivoted detent chronometer escapement for the South American market. In 1870 this chronometer was tested at the Neuchâtel observatory, where it finished in 6th place (128 participants) in the category "Chronomètres de Poche". The chronometers were observed for 1 month in 2 positions and in the oven - with extract from the chronometer archives by Andreas Hidding

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Swiss chronometer maker Henri Grandjean was born in Le Locle on December 14, 1803. From 1824 until 1830 he was assigned the task of organizing the South American branches of his father’s company; in 1830 his brother Henri Gustave emigrated to Peru and was from then on in charge of these businesses.
Henri Grandjean trained as a watchmaker in his home town. Around 1830 his factory "Henri Grandjean & Cie." began to build ship’s chronometers that were modelled on the English chronometers. His business partner was Edouard Thévenaz; together with Louis Jean Richard and Ulysse Nardin Grandjean was the originator of the Swiss marine chronometer production.
In 1831 Grandjean married Elise Montandon, the daughter of Isaac Pierre. He was granted permission to open watchmaking schools and founded the observatory at Neuchâtel. Later Grandjean went into politics and became representative and prefect of the city of Le Locle. In La-Chaux-de-Fonds he worked for the establishment of the Quartier-Neuf, which was finally built in 1855; his intention was to eliminate real estate speculation and to create low priced housing for working-class families.
A street in Le Locle was named after him - the Rue Henri-Grandjean. Henri Grandjean died on March 21, 1889 in Le Locle.