346 - J. J. Badollet & Cie Genève - Tir Federale Genève 1887

J. J. Badollet & Cie Genève - Tir Federale Genève 1887 (*) An impressive Geneva shooting contest presentation watch "Tir Fédérale Genève 1887" Movm. No. 50896, Cal. LeCoultre, Case No. 11337, Dimensions 52 mm, circa 1887, Weight 114 g, Origin Schweiz, Original box Case: Silver, a motif of three shooters with crossbows, ornamented in high relief, on the reverse; case maker's punch mark "FB" with key (Francois Borgel); caseband decorated with chased oak leaves and ribbons. Dial: Enamel. Movm.: Bridge movement, lever escapement, screw compensation balance. The 1887 Swiss Federal Shooting Festival in Geneva was the 32nd Swiss Federal Shooting Festival, a major national shooting competition held in the city. The figure of the archer has been immortalised on the cuvette in an ornate engraving that reads "Souvenir de Louis Olivier à Bellevue". The Swiss family Badollet produced several generations of fine watchmakers from the 17th to the 20th century. One branch of the family worked in Paris from 1712 until 1872; there were also offices in England and a maker called Paul Badollet worked in New York around 1798. Jean Jaques Badollet (1756-1829) founded the company J. J. Badollet in 1779 in Geneva. Jean Moise Badollet (1811-1854) was sole proprietor from 1828 until 1854 and traded under the name "J. M. Badollet"; from 1837 the company name was "J. M.Badollet & Cie". It remained like this after the death of Jean Moise - his successor was Jean Marc Badollet. Around 1890 the company name changed back to the original "J. J. Badollet"; this was the time when the "Charmilles" pocket watch was produced after the patents of Potter. However, the venture was unsuccessful and the company was dissolved a year later in 1896. A year after that, Colomb & Balmer took over the premises in Geneva, keeping the trademarks of J. J. Badollet. It seems that around this time the Badollet family was once again involved; Gustave Badollet (1855-1924) was the last member of the family to be in charge of the company. In 1923 its name was "Geneva Watch Co., Successor to J. J. Badollet, micrometers" and this company was still trading two years later. Case: very good, slightly rubbed. Dial: very good. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.