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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Not recorded, Switzerland

Montandon

Partially verified

Maker of catalogued grande sonnerie quarter-repeating pocket watch, hunter case pocket watch, minute repeating hunter case pocket watch

History

The company Montandon Frères was established around 1850 and operated from Le Locle, Switzerland.

Genealogical records and historical notices identify the firm's leadership as including Jämes Montandon and Charles Adolphe Montandon. The manufacturer achieved international recognition by winning awards at major exhibitions, including a first prize at the Melbourne Timing Contest in 1881. Furthermore, the firm secured a second prize at a competition held at Yale University in 1882, trailing only the firm Barraud & Lund.

Montandon Frères reportedly ceased operations in 1903.

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

Recorded as ceased: 1903. Later use of the name by another firm, if any, is not covered here.

Known markings

  • The company operated under the name Montandon Frères in Le Locle.
  • A Paris-based entity operated as Montandon Frères a Paris.

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

4 catalogued objects are recorded under Montandon. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • The Montandon minute-repeating pocket watch, showing the dial with ornate central engraving and the case-side repeating slide.
  • Exterior view of the engraved 18k yellow gold hunter case pocket watch with attached fob chain
  • Front view of the Montandon Freres 18ct gold hunter case pocket watch with the front cover open, displaying the silver and gold dial with floral details.
  • Front view of the 18K yellow gold Grande Sonnerie pocket watch by Montandon.

Sources & references

  1. Montandon - Watch-Wiki - Das Uhrenlexikon, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. Montandon Frères Le Locle - Watch-Wiki - Das Uhrenlexikon, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.