Le Locle, Switzerland
Jules Jürgensen
Partially verifiedMaker of catalogued hunter case pocket watch, hunting cased independent seconds watch, hunting-cased keyless pocket watch
History
The company was established in 1836 by Jules Frédéric Jürgensen, who moved from Denmark to Le Locle, Switzerland, to build a subsidiary of his family's established firm.
The Swiss company operated closely with the Danish firm Urban Jürgensen & Sønner throughout its early years while developing its own distinct production methods. In 1872, Jules Frédéric Jürgensen retired and transferred control of the business to his son, Jules Urban Jürgensen. Following the founder's death in 1877, his sons Jules Urban and Jacques Alfred Jürgensen continued to operate the firm.
The brand underwent significant ownership changes throughout the 20th century, including an acquisition by Ed. Heuer & Co. in 1919 and later by various American entities.
The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.
Current watchmaking & later fate
- Following the death of owner Mort Clayman in 2010, the company's survivors closed the business.
- In 2011, Dr. Helmut Crott, the owner of Urban Jürgensen & Sønner, acquired the brand rights from the Clayman family.
As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-11-03. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.
Key models
- Savonnette with Seconds Foudroyantes
- This model featured a hunting-case design with a halting seconds foudroyante and center seconds.
Major innovations
- The company utilized a characteristic pocket watch design referred to as the Jürgensen Caliber.
- In 1865, Jules Jürgensen patented a new system for winding watches and setting the time.
Known markings
- Watches produced in Switzerland were typically signed with the name Jules Jürgensen followed by Copenhagen.
Serial numbers
No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.
Collecting significance
The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.
In the object catalogue
9 catalogued objects are recorded under Jules Jürgensen. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.
- Jules Jürgensen 18K Pink Gold Minute-Repeater Pocket WatchMinute repeater pocket watch · Circa 1871-1873
- Jules Jürgensen Hunter Case Pocket WatchHunter case pocket watch · circa 1890
- Jules Jürgensen Hunting-Cased Keyless Pocket WatchHunting-cased keyless pocket watch · Circa 1885
- Jules Jürgensen independent seconds watch with recorderHunting cased independent seconds watch · circa 1860
- Jules Jurgensen Minute Repeating ChronographMinute-repeating chronograph · circa 1880
- Jules Jürgensen minute repeating pocket watch with box and papersMinute repeating open face pocket watch · early 20th century
- Jules Jürgensen Pink Gold Hunting Cased Minute Repeating Pocket WatchMinute repeating hunting cased pocket watch · Circa 1873
- Jules Jürgensen pink gold hunting cased minute repeating watchMinute repeating hunting cased pocket watch · Circa 1873
- Jules Jürgensen Secondes Foudroyantes Pocket WatchHunting-cased, keyless pocket watch with independent seconds · circa 1870
Diagram
Sources & references
- Jules Jürgensen, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Urban Jürgensen, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Jürgensen, Jules-Frédéric, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03
- Jürgensen, Jules Urban, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.