TISSOT

In 1853, the father-son team of Charles-Félicien Tissot and Charles-Émile Tissot formed Chs Tissot & Fils in Le Locle, in the Jura area of Switzerland. Tissot originated as a comptoir, an assembler of components bought from independent watchmakers in the vicinity, as did other Swiss watch firms formed at the time. The firm delivered between 1100 and 1200 timepieces to the Le Locle area in its first year.

By 1858, Charles-Émile Tissot, the younger Tissot, had gone to Russia and, with the Czar's consent, was selling Tissot pocket watches all across the Empire. Tissot made spare parts, watchmaking tools, and other tiny goods, as well as completed timepieces, between 1860 and 1875.

Tissot was also the recipient of various accolades and prizes in a variety of industrial exhibits throughout the late 1800s. The Diploma of Honour in Zurich in 1888, the Grand Prix and Gold Metal in Antwerp in 1890, the Grand Prix in Paris in 1900, and the First Prize in the Neuchâtel Observatory Competition for Chronometers and Marine Chronometers in 1907 were among the awards received.

By the late 1880s, Charles-son Émile's Charles had established himself in Russia. In 1890, he had a son named Paul, and in 1897, he had a daughter named Marie. Paul and Marie were to play key roles in the operation of Tissot, with Paul handling broad business concerns with his father and Marie handling day-to-day operations.

Tissot changed the name of their ébauche businesses from fabrique to manufacturing in 1918. It began mass-producing the ébauches it needed for its motions in its own facility.

The name of the corporation changed when ownership was handed from father to son (and, behind the scenes, daughter). The firm was renamed Charles-Émile Tissot & Fils in 1865. The name was altered once again in 1917, to Chs. Tissot & Fils – SA.

Tissot was first known as SSIH in 1930, when it formed a collaboration with Omega, and then Tissot Marché Suisse SA in 1976. Tissot was eventually renamed Tissot SA and began doing business in 1982.

The next year, SSIH and ASUAG combined to become SMH (Société de Microélectronique et d'Horlogerie), which was led by Nicolas Hayek.

Tissot formed a business cooperation with Louis and Gustave Brandt, directors of Omega in Bienne, in 1925. The Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère was founded in 1930 as a result of this founding cooperation (SSIH).

To stave off the impacts of the 1929 economic crisis, Charles and Paul Tissot partnered with Omega to develop SSIH in 1930. After SSIH combined with ASUAG (Allgemeine Schweizerische Uhrenindustrie AG) 53 years later, the Swatch Group was formed. As a result, Tissot represents a significant portion of Swiss watch history in terms of the Quartz problem and Switzerland's response to it. In a piece published earlier this summer, we traced the origins and history of the Swatch Group.

Between 1945 and 1975, there was a period of rapid expansion. Benefits and perks from the company were plentiful. Tissot was a big employer in Le Locle, and retired Tissot employees still privately gloat about it.

All parties benefited from the post-merger alliances with Omega and other SSIH brands such as Lemania. Until the quartz crisis, that is. If one looks at the firm's website and other historical documents, it appears that the corporation is fully aware that it owes its current existence to the multiple mergers in which it has been involved. A lot of credit is also attributed to CEOs like Nicolas Hayek's savvy management.

While it's quick to overlook Tissot as just another Swatch—a great Swiss brand tarnished by quartz's success—more there's to it than that. Because of their adjustments to developments in the timepiece industry, Tissot has survived. The world of watches would be lost if they had not joined other Swiss enterprises in the 19th century in attempting to expand and advance watchmaking. Tissot is still a force in the watchmaking industry, operating under the slogan "Innovations by Tradition." While the brand's father-and-son roots may appear to be a long way from where it is now, it was that initial hustle and energy that put Tissot watches on the wrists of Presidents and ordinary people alike. To put it another way, Tissot is more than just a reliable mid-range timepiece. They are a historically significant brand that is worth the attention they maintain after over two centuries of staying on top of trends and introducing their own style to watch design. As the world of watches progresses, perhaps they will provide another tactile surprise. Until that day comes, their ability to combine tradition with modern trends will continue to inspire millions of purchases all across the world.

(Above picture of Charles-Félicien Tissot and and his son Charles-Émile)