====== Nicolet ======

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

**Nicolet** was a Swiss watch brand founded in [[Tramelan]] in [[1914]] and continuing in production there in various forms until the 1970s. Today's [[Armand Nicolet]] brand is not derived from this Nicolet but instead is an homage to a related early 20th century watchmaker.

===== The Nicolet Watchmaking Family =====
Nicolet is a common name in watchmaking, especially in [[Tramelan]] but also in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] and [[Berne]]. Members of the Nicolet family began making watches in [[Tramelan|Tramelan-Dessus]] in the 1880s, notably Alcide Nicolet. He produced cylinder escapements by [[1886]] and complete watches as of [[1895]]. Samuel Nicolet also produced cylinder escapements in Tramelan in this period.

Alcide Nicolet was born in [[1853]] and married Adele Vuilleumier in [[1875]]. The couple had 13 children, 10 of whom survived to adulthood. Among them are [[Achille Nicolet]], born [[1877]], [[Armand Nicolet|Paul Armand Nicolet]], born in [[1884]], and [[Charles Nicolet|Charles Albert Nicolet]], born [[1890]]. This large family is the reason the Nicolet name is so closely associated with Tramelan, and the source of so many watchmakers of that name after the turn of the century.

[[Achille Nicolet]] began work in Tramelan-Dessus by [[1916]]. He was joined by [[Charles Nicolet]] in [[1918]], after which Alcide Nicolet is no longer listed. [[Armand Nicolet]] is not listed as a watchmaker until [[1933]]. These are likely Alcide's sons, and another firm, **Nicolet Frères**, appears in Tramelan-Dessus in [[1928]] which could have included some of the other children of the family.

===== Charles Nicolet =====
**Charles Nicolet** was a watch maker in [[Tramelan|Tramelan-Dessus]] between [[1914]] and [[1928]] and registered the **Nicolet** brand name. Nicolet produced [[Swiss lever]] and [[cylinder escapement]] movements as well as watches, including [[bracelet watch]]es. Many of Nicolet's movements were exported to the United States.

Charles Nicolet was a specialist in petite watches by 1918. His workshop was located in Tramelan-Dessus and produced 8 and 13 ligne movements, including [[bracelet watch]]es.

===== Nicolet Watch =====
Nicolet Watch SA was incorporated around [[1937]] as a successor to the Charles Nicolet watchmaking business. The company focused on precision watches, including [[chronograph]]s by [[1938]]. By [[1940]], Nicolet was exporting movements to America, including 13, 14.5, and 15.5 ligne chronograph movements with 1 or 2 pushers.

Nicolet Watch SA celebrated their 50th anniversary in [[1964]], confirming the [[1914]] date.

Nicolet used the **Nicolet** trademark, along with Transmarine, Fidéa, Silex, Team, Steady, Crocus, Saturne, Roinek, and Nike in [[1960]]. The Achille Nicolet SA corporation used the Mon Réve brand. By [[1966]], Nicolet Watch SA focused on the **Nicolet Watch** brand along with Transmarine, Saturne, "N", and Aster. These brands would continue through at least [[1972]].

===== Cominter SA =====
  *See Also [[Cominter]]

By [[1970]], most of the Tramelan factories had been merged into a single holding company, **Cominter SA**. This included Nicolet Watch SA along with [[Betina]], [[Loyal]], [[Mathez|P.V. Mathez]], and [[Nitella]] of Tramelan as well as [[Droz & Cie]] of [[Tavannes]] and [[Heba|Heba Watch]] of [[Alle]]. The group boasted 700 models at their [[Basel Fair]] stand that year. The individual companies continued to operate independently through most of the 1970s, with Nicolet Watch SA in operation through [[1977]].

Cominter continued in operation at least through [[1982]].

===== See Also =====
The Nicolet family had many watchmaking operations in [[Tramelan]] and beyond. The following are unrelated to the Nicolet brand:
  * [[Armand Nicolet]], a historic and modern watchmaker in [[Tramelan]]
  * [[Achille Nicolet]], [[Tramelan]], used the [[Mon Réve]] brand, absorbed into [[United Orbit]] by [[1961]]
  * [[Fernand Nicolet]], [[Tramelan]], maker of the [[ADO]] brand
  * [[Gagnebin & Nicolet]], [[Tramelan|Tramelan-Dessus]], maker of the [[Niga]] brand
  * [[Marc Nicolet]], [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], also used the [[Rondine]] brand
  * [[Etienne & Nicolet]], [[Villeret]]


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland Tramelan Cominter}}