Actual founding date of Lemania

[ahyoung]

All Lemania Forum members:

In 2008 I researched and wrote The Legend of Valjoux for International Watch magazine. I am now researching the history of Lemania and need help from this forum. The Lemania logo shows 1884 but that was really the founding of A. Lugrin SA, by Alfred Lugrin. From the research I have able to dig up, the first appearance of the Lemania name was actually around 1924. I cannot determine the definitive date from a trademark search even within Switzerland. Was Lugrin involved in the founding of Lemania, or was it Meylan? Perhaps one of you have some vintage literature that can shed light on this. Thanks from a new member!

Regards,

Anthony Young
Woodbridge, Virginia
USA

[DaveS]

Hi
I'm afraid I have no published literature for you, and only a very poor answer, which contains not much more than the information in the potted history post I wrote here

http://forum.atgvintagewatches.com/s...ead.php?t=2036

It would seem to me that Lugrin and Meylan set up Lemania. All sources I can find agree that Meylan (Lugrin's son-in-law) ran it, but that it was called Lemania-Lugrin SA, indicating the old man was still involved, if only in name.

As for when it was set up, it seemed to me that it was late 20's, but this online source

http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F30800.php

Itemising the life of Lugrin indicates 1918, a lot earlier than other sources. In 1918 he would have been 60, so it is not surprising that Meylan managed the company. The same article indicates that he went on to be president of the Chenit watchmaking school, but died in 1920.

If this is to be believed (and it isa corroborated by other sources), then it is certain that Meylan was the driving force from very early on, if not the very start. It also means that if the Lemania Lugrin company started after 1920, Meylan must have been the only person involved.

Convergence between sources is once again achieved with the immersion into SSIH, which happened in 1932.

Regards

Dave

[ATG]

Anthony I am sure there are others who could help you out....

Not everyone here gets IW Magazine how about posting the Valjoux article on the main ATG Forum...? I am sure people would love to read it... myself included...?

Alistair

Originally Posted by ahyoung

All Lemania Forum members:

In 2008 I researched and wrote The Legend of Valjoux for International Watch magazine. I am now researching the history of Lemania and need help from this forum. The Lemania logo shows 1884 but that was really the founding of A. Lugrin SA, by Alfred Lugrin. From the research I have able to dig up, the first appearance of the Lemania name was actually around 1924. I cannot determine the definitive date from a trademark search even within Switzerland. Was Lugrin involved in the founding of Lemania, or was it Meylan? Perhaps one of you have some vintage literature that can shed light on this. Thanks from a new member!

Regards,

Anthony Young
Woodbridge, Virginia
USA