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Swiss watches in the 1970s experienced an economic crisis, caused mainly appearance and great popularity of cheap quartz watches. Hard times had the company Ulysse Nardin: none of the family no longer wished to to continue the family business, even though their family at that time was large. By 1983 the company employed only two people who were collecting parts of the existing marine chronometers for a small circle of collectors.
It was decided to sell the factory. Buyer has the manufacturer of dials, cases and bracelets, Rolf Schneider, who was the owner of several factories located in south-east Asia. Rolf Schneider had a desire to produce watches, and as soon as he learned from the newspapers about the poor financial situation of the Ulysse Nardin, and that the firm put up for sale, he immediately decided to buy it:
"All this happened during my vacation, which I spent at the end of 1982 in St. Moritz, riding on skis. I read that all imagine the level of the brand, but nobody wants to risk and to revive the watch Ulysse Nardin. And I decided:
"This is my chance!"
We purchased a half million francs factory building, which were some very old machines, small warehouse remains that were not of much value, except, perhaps, a certain number of parts used in the manufacture of marine chronometers. But most importantly - I bought a beautiful name.
In the Ulysse Nardin was working Leopold Berthu - the only watchmaker, collecting marine chronometers and deck on the orders of a few collectors. In addition, close to the Ulysse Nardin remained JJ Jean-Jacques Aldimann, whose work at that time is not paid. So in fact it was a factory worker and a half. "
Crisis at the firm Ulysse Nardin took a businessman from Germany - industrialist, inventor, collector and manufacturer even watches. His name for obvious reasons is not called directly, although connoisseurs of the industry is easy to guess who it is. This businessman had friendly relations with a woman who worked in the office of Ulysse Nardin in a time when the company managed a crisis manager. Taking advantage of the trust manager and good relations with this lady, a businessman on the pretext of inventory for the transfer of certain things in the museum is simply taken out almost all had at least some items of historical value.
Rolf Schneider said with bitterness:
"I remember the day when I went to inspect the factory in Le Locle. I met along the road truck - his truck. He was so heavily loaded that truck lights blinded my eyes.
I then realized - truck to the rear axle and low beam headlights actually become in the future. A few times he has taken out almost everything. He took out his pocket watch and all the arrangements. He brought all the posters. He brought some of the books. He brought all the medals received Ulysse Nardin in exhibitions - I to my office by the photos ordered their copy. Having bought the factory, we really got a name and the bare walls of the roof. And nothing I could do: he took out all before I was legally partner took over the firm. Now for the museum's collection I have to buy the firm Ulysse Nardin watches at auction." |
