André Wenger

André Wenger, Paris, 1930s. Highly important collection of hand-painted watercolor designs for watch cases. Notes The Wengers The 25-year old André Wenger and his 18 year-old brother Edouard began making watch cases in 1912. Originally from Le Locle, the Wenger family moved to Geneva in 1904. Around 1910, the advent of the wristwatch led the Wenger brothers to create new cases, totally different from the ones made in the past. Their started their company with the very small capital of 1,000 Francs. In 1918 Frederic Hess, former professor of the Horological School, joined the company, eventually becoming foreman. The trademark BG Wenger, Manufacturers of Horology and Jewelry equipment, was registered on October 28, 1920 under the No. 48103. The wristwatch became very popular after the War; with the addition of jew- els it became an ornament. The drawings and models of Wenger brothers were remarkable. During the same period they also produced small clocks decorated with ivory, hexagonal pocket watches, embellished with engrav- ing champlevé or Limoges enamel, inspired by Egyptian or Greek styles. In 1925, the Wenger House received a gold medal at the Paris Exhibition. At that time the company employed 25 people; a few years later it had grown to 60, allowing them to create objects of vertu like cigarette cases and pow- der boxes with Chinese lacquer. In the 30s, times were hard and the broth- ers started a small revolution by manufacturing stainless-steel cases. They also