====== Braunschweig & Hirsch ======

{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}

**Braunschweig & Hirsch** were a maker of pocket watches in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] active in the 1890s and 1900s. The company produced watches under the **Astra**, **Eden**, and **La Victoire** brands.

===== Braunschweig & Hirsch =====
Braunschweig & Hirsch is first noted at Leopold-Robert 30 in La Chaux-de-Fonds from [[1892]] through [[1894]], then temporarily at Rue de la Serre 27 in [[1895]] and [[1896]]. The company then moves to Rue du Parc 24 from [[1898]] through [[1910]]. An unrelated firm, [[Achille Hirsch]], also produced watches in the city during this period.

The company used the Astra brand for a line of [[repeater]] pocket watches in the early 1900s. In [[1897]], Braunschweig & Hirsch had purchased an [[1889]] patent on an advanced repeater mechanism from the famous firm of [[Barbezat-Baillot]]. The company also produced 17, 18, 19, and 20 ligne watches with [[remontoire]] as well as ladies pocket watches.

The [[Astra]] brand would later be produced by [[Astra|Astra Watch]] in [[Bienne]] starting in [[1922]]. [[Eden]] would reappear in the late 1960s, produced in [[Selzach]].

===== Braunschweig et Cie. =====
Braunschweig et Cie. is the successor starting in [[1911]]. The company's new brands were **Elli** and **Janus**.

Braunschweig et Cie. was located at Rue du Paix 19, the same street as the massive [[Election]] factory operated by Lucien Braunschweig. The company relocated to Rue Leopold-Robert 63 in [[1913]], then Commerce 17a in [[1914]], where they remained through [[1932]].

The [[Janus]] brand would be revived in the 1950s by [[Janus|Montres Janus]] in [[Tecknau]].


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland La_Chaux-de-Fonds}}