Hebdomas
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland · Fondée en 1890
Fondée par Ami Sandoz
Hebdomas était un fabricant suisse de montres fondé au début du XXe siècle, connu pour ses montres à affichage de réserve de marche de huit jours sur le cadran. Le nom « hebdomas » signifie « semaine » en grec, référence à l'autonomie de huit jours de ces montres.
- Fondée en
- 1890
- Siège social
- La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
- Groupe
- Independent
- Segment de prix
- Milieu de gamme
- Statut
- Disparue
Cessation: 1934
Hebdomas cessa ses activités lors de la crise du quartz.
Hebdomas montrait combien de jours il restait avant d'avoir à remonter — une montre pour les oublieux.
Collections phares
- 8-Day Pocket Watch — The flagship Hebdomas creation featuring a patented 8-day movement with a prominent exposed balance wheel visible through a cut-out at 6 o'clock, eliminating the need for daily winding.
- Exposed Balance Series — Distinctive timepieces showcasing the oscillating balance wheel on the dial face, a design innovation that became synonymous with the Hebdomas name and was widely imitated by competitors.
- 8-Jours Wristwatch — A later adaptation of the 8-day movement for wrist wear, produced as wristwatches gained popularity in the early twentieth century.
Chronologie
- 1890 — Ami Sandoz establishes Hebdomas in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, focusing on long-running movements.
- 1896 — Patents granted for the signature 8-day pocket watch movement with exposed balance wheel visible on the dial.
- 1900 — Hebdomas gains international recognition at the Paris Exposition Universelle for its innovative 8-day watches.
- 1920 — Peak production period as Hebdomas 8-day watches achieve widespread popularity across European and American markets.
- 1934 — Hebdomas ceases operations as the Great Depression and declining demand for novelty timepieces render the business unviable.
Questions fréquentes sur Hebdomas
- Que signifie le nom Hebdomas ?
- Hebdomas vient du grec ancien signifiant « semaine » — une référence à l'autonomie de huit jours des montres de la marque, qui n'avaient besoin d'être remontées qu'une fois par semaine.
- Are Hebdomas watches still valuable?
- Genuine Hebdomas 8-day pocket watches remain desirable to collectors, with original examples in good condition fetching respectable prices at auction due to their historical significance and distinctive exposed balance wheel design.
- Can I still buy a Hebdomas watch today?
- Original Hebdomas watches can be found through antique dealers, auction houses, and specialist vintage watch sellers. The brand has not been revived, so only pre-1934 examples exist.
- What does Hebdomas mean?
- The name derives from the Greek 'hebdomas' meaning 'seven' or 'week', referencing the watch's ability to run for eight days (over a week) on a single winding.
- Why do Hebdomas watches have a visible balance wheel?
- The exposed balance wheel served both aesthetic and practical purposes—it created a distinctive visual appeal showing the watch was running, whilst also demonstrating the quality of the movement to potential purchasers.