Agassiz

Auguste Agassiz (1809-1877) started making watches in St Imier in Switzerland in 1832, establishing the partnership Agassiz & Compagnie (Cie) with partners Florian Morel and Henri Raiguel. The watches were made in in the cottage industry method, with the workers operating out of their homes. In 1847, Auguste became the firm's sole owner, and the firm is listed as "A. Agassiz" from 1848 until he took Ernest Francillon as a partner in 1859.