====== Octo ======

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

**Octo** was a Swiss watch and clock brand active from at least [[1908]] through the late 1960s. It was best known for a range of [[8-day]] movement (thus the name) but also produced other watch models. Octo clocks were first produced by Couleru-Meuri in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], though the trademark was taken on by Ernest Tolck soon after. The company was later incorporated as Octo Sarl and Montres Octo SA before relocating to [[Bienne]] after World War II.

===== Ulysse Tolck in Fleurier =====
Henri Ulysse Tolck began as a watchmaker in [[Fleurier]]. By [[1848]] he was producing a few different pocket watches, including an [[8-day]] model. For this reason, the later Montres Octo SA claimed to have been founded in the 19th century, though the firm chose [[1858]] as its founding date.

After his death, Henri Ulysse's son Ulysse Tolck took over the business, operating under the name U. Tolck & Co. In [[1871]], Ulysse Tolck was listed as having worked in Geneva but now located in Fleurier and able to produce many types of complications. He acquired a business in Paris in [[1872]] and began fitting watch crystals. He also formed a venture with a watch dial maker in [[Fleurier]]. In [[1873]], Tolck developed a watch later known as the **Carosse**, which was used to time the speed of racing.

Tolck developed an octagonal watch case in [[1898]], placing an 8-day movement inside. The company was also producing specialized dashboard clocks for automobiles using this 8-day movement.

===== Ernest Tolck in La Chaux-de-Fonds =====
Another Tolck, Albert, worked in La Chaux-de-Fonds by [[1901]]. In [[1908]], Ulysse's son Ernest Tolck relocated to the watchmaking city as well. Ulysse Tolck was still listed as being active in Fleurier after this, suggesting that this firm was an extension or was unrelated. Ernest Tolck's first workshop was at 19 Rue de la Paix, later relocating (after [[1913]]) to 78 Rue Léopold Robert.

By [[1918]], Tolck is listed as successor to Marc Dubois & Cie, occupying their factory at 8 Rue Jacob Brandt. Tolck took out a two-page ad in [[Indicateur Davoine]] showing a line of [[8-day]] clocks using the brand name **Octo**. These were dash, desk, and wall clocks "pour automobiles et voitures" and were also sold under the "Logic" name. Tolck also used the "Sincère", "Metropole", and "For-Ever" brands (as well as "Logic") for "petites montres" including wrist bracelet watches. These used an 8 ligne movement produced under the name Fabrique d'Horlogerie Soignée.

By [[1928]], Tolck was located at 19a Rue des Tourelles in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The company remained there to at least [[1932]].

===== Marc Dubois, Léon-N. Robert, and Octo =====
The 8-day wristwatch and "Octo" brand comes from a different route to the Tolck family. The brand was registered by Charles Couleru-Meuri for an 8-day clock, and this was acquired by Ernest Tolck in [[1918]] when he purchased the assets of Marc Dubois, which was itself successor to Léon-N. Robert and the family Robert-Bornand.

Numa Robert-Bornand was located at 149 Rue des Juifs in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in [[1850]]. This address was re-numbered to become 7 Rue des Juifs in [[1859]] and the street renamed Rue Fritz-Courvoisier by [[1869]]. By [[1871]], the company was called Numa Robert-Bornand & Fils, and was simply Robert-Bornand & Fils between [[1883]] and [[1889]].

Another La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker, [[Couleru-Meuri|Charles Couleru-Meuri]], was located at 9 Rue Neuve as early as [[1880]]. He won a bronze medal at the Paris exposition in [[1889]]. In [[1894]] Couleru-Meuri had relocated to a large factory at 18 Boulevard du Petit-Château opposite [[Léon Breitling]]'s shop. By [[1901]], this was listed as 1 Rue Montbrillant. Couleru-Meuri was producing [[8-day]] clocks under the "Octo" brand by [[1908]]. These were advertised as [[anti-magnetic|non magnétique]] and featured an [[open heart|opening in the dial]] with a [[power reserve indicator|pointer at 6 00 showing power remaining]]. The patent No. 28536-37 is listed.

Léon-N. Robert succeeded Robert-Bornand et Fils and took over the factory at 7 Rue Fritz-Courvoisier. He was active there from [[1892]] to [[1901]] but relocated the factory to 8 Rue Jacob Brandt in [[1908]]. He was succeeded by Marc Dubois by [[1913]], with Dubois taking over the Rue Jacob Brandt factory and producing 8-day clocks "pour automobiles et voitures" under the "Octo" brand by [[1913]]. The factory also specialized in "petites Montres" or ladies bracelet watches using an 8 ligne movement. Both were advertised as "soignée" or "neat".

Couleru-Meuri was succeeded by Eug. Couleru by [[1916]]. This firm produced Octo watches for Marc Dubois and was located at 37 Rue de la Charrière. Couleru was still associated with the Octo brand by [[1927]], having relocated to 19 Tourelles along with Ernest Tolck.

===== Octo in Bienne =====
In [[1938]] or [[1941]], Ernest Tolck sold the business to Albert Etienne, a local watchmaker and business man. the company relocated to [[Bienne]] by [[1943]], with their address listed as 4 Rue Adam Fr. Molz. The firm kept the Octo name but abandoned the 8-day wristwatch after World War II. Instead, Octo was a manufacturer of mid-priced wristwatches for the mass market.

The Octo range included the [[waterproof]] Lakemaster by [[1958]]. The [[1959]] [[Basel Fair]] included the new Missilemaster. This waterproof [[antimagnetic]] watch featured an [[automatic]] [[calendar]] movement. It had a centrally-attached lug with an unusual look. Montres Octo celebrated its jubilee in [[1959]] with a range of gold plated watches.

Albert's son Marius Etienne took over the company between [[1958]] and [[1963]]. Octo debuted the Skymaster line at the [[Basel Fair]] in [[1963]]. between [[1960]] and [[1962]], Montres Octo relocated to 56 Rue de l'Avenir in Bienne-Ville.

The final appearance of the Octo brand came in [[1965]] when the firm created a novel flip-over watch known as the Compass. Although this anti-magnetic watch was ahead of its time, it failed to take hold and the firm soon ceased operations.

===== References =====
  * //Why Didn't This Unusual Watch Catch On?//, Kathleen H. Pritchard, Horological Times, September 1998
  * //History of the Octo Firm//, Europa Star Eastern Jeweller 48, 1958


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