====== Degoumois ======

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

**Degoumois & Cie.** was a watch company founded in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in [[1887]]. It is best known for the [[Avia]] and [[Protector]] brands.

===== Degoumois and Protector =====
H.-V. Degoumois founded a watchmaking shop in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in [[1887]]. Located at Boulevard de la Fontaine 6, it would remain at this address through [[1899]]. In [[1900]], the company relocated to Rue Aurore 11 and noted "succ de. J.-V. Degoumois", though it is not clear what this refers to.

By [[1916]], Degoumois had registered the **Protector Watch Co.** brand, and would use this at least through [[1937]].

Degoumois was successful with the Protector brand and moved to Rue Régionaux 11 in [[1918]]. Degoumois & Cie. succeeded H.-V. Degoumois by [[1920]]. By [[1923]], Degoumois had moved to Rue Aurore 11 and 13, and expanded to number 9 by [[1930]]. In [[1931]], Degoumois & Cie. was located at Rue de la Paix 71, 73, and 75 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

===== Montres Avia =====
Degoumois relocated to Rue du Musée in [[Neuchâtel]] starting in [[1933]]. In [[1940]], Degoumois no longer listed the Protector brand, and by [[1945]] was referring to **Fabrique de Montres Avia** instead.

Degoumois had launched the Avia brand in association with UK company [[Louis Newmark Limited]]. It was a mass-market brand, and saw Degoumois begin using [[Roskopf]] and [[cylinder escapement]]s in addition to higher-priced [[Swiss lever]] movements. The brand covered most of the range, from cheaper Roskopf watches for the American and UK market to expensive lever watches with gold and silver cases.

Degoumois had relocated to Place-d'Armes 1 by [[1954]] and number 3 by [[1968]].

===== SGT and Avia-Silvana =====
By [[1970]], Degoumois and Avia were part of [[Société des Garde-Temps]].

The company was merged with the existing [[Silvana]] of [[Tramelan]] and was now listed as Avia-Silvana, Degoumois & Co SA in [[1972]], having relocated to [[Tramelan]]. Watches were now sold under the **Avia-Silvana** brand under [[SGT]]. This company would produce [[LED]] and [[LCD]] watches using the Avia brand through the 1970s.

SGT was liquidated by [[1981]], and the Avia brand was purchased by [[Louis Newmark Limited]] who had collaborated with Degoumois to create the brand after World War II. Newmark would continue as a brand for [[ETA]] in the UK, while the new [[Corvette]] brand would be sourced from non-Swiss sources, notably [[Sanyo]] of Japan. Sanyo had purchased a stake in Newmark.


{{tag>La_Chaux-de-Fonds Neuchâtel SGT}}