====== Sandoz ======
**Sandoz** was a brand of watches produced throughout the 20th century.

===== History =====
The Odin Watch Factory was established in [[1870]] by the Lassueur family of [[Bienne]]. Henry Sandoz became a watchmaker in the Canto of Neuchâtel in [[1895]] and soon took over the Odin factory. In [[1914]], Sandoz began producing wristwatches. In [[1920]], Hermann Sandoz joined his father, renaming the firm **Henry Sandoz & Fils.** The company later marked its start as 1870.

Sandoz sold the original facility fo [[Peseux]] in [[1919]], constructing a larger factory in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] in [[1926]]. At this point, in addition to the **Sandoz** and **Odin** brands, the company produced watches as **Crusader** and **Henry Sandoz & Fils**. The company was recognized with two first prizes at the [[Neuchâtel Observatory]] in [[1938]].

In [[1958]], André Bezzola became a partner in the company. He had been production manager since [[1952]]. The company opened another new factory in [[Moudon]] in [[1960]]. In [[1961]], on the retirement of Hermann Sandoz, Eric Kocher took over management. This enabled the firm to expand their operations in both locations. The company marketed itself as **Sandoz of Switzerland** from the 1950s.

Sandoz specialized in [[ultra-thin]] watches in the 1950s and 1960s. Cal. HSF 55 was the thinnest in the world in [[1955]], as was the similar Cal. HSF 56. Cal. 333, introduced in [[1959]], was the thinnest automatic movement, with six ball bearings for the [[peripheral automatic]] rotor. It was available with 17, 25, or even 50 or 60 jewels.

By [[1970]], Sandoz was part of [[SGT|Société Des Garde-Temps SA]] along with [[Elgin]], [[Fleurier Watch]], [[Invicta]], and [[Waltham]]. The company sold [[LCD]] [[digital watch]]es under the SGT brand in the 1970s.

===== Other Sandoz References =====
  * Huguenin-Sandoz of Neuchâtel was a supplier of components
  * [[Sandoz, Henri|Henri Sandoz]] founded a major watchmaking factory in [[Tavannes]]
  * The Sandoz Family Foundation is a majority owner of [[Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier]] and [[Parmigiani Fleurier]]
  * Maurice Sandoz of [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] collected automata and is the namesake for the room housing his collection at the [[International Watch and Clock Museum]].


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