Ebauches SA
Ebauches SA was a Swiss holding company for the production of watch movements and parts, founded in Neuchâtel in 1926. The company played a central role in the Swiss watch industry cartel until its integration into what became the Swatch Group in the 1980s.
History
Foundation and early years
Ebauches was founded in 1926 by three major Swiss watch component manufacturers: A. Schild SA in Granges, Fabrique d'horlogerie de Fontainemelon, and A. Michel SA in Granges. The company opposed the export of movement templates to prevent the production of watches abroad under the Swiss label.In 1931, Ebauches joined ASUAG, completing the Swiss watch cartel. Despite being part of the same holding company, the various subsidiaries, led by family dynasties, continued to compete fiercely with one another.
Expansion and dominance
By 1968–1969, Ebauches had grown to include twenty-three subsidiaries in Switzerland, three abroad, and employed 10,000 people. The subsidiary Ebauches Electroniques Marin was founded in 1970, shortly before the collapse of the watch cartel, which had neglected the growing market for electronic watches.In 1974, Ebauches dominated 25% of the global market for mechanical movements.