My daughter Melina justly celebrated her 18 year old birthday, she is the pride and achievement of this family. Since she receive a manual winding golden pocket watch engraved her name, I has more and more strongly experienced the watchmaking gene rooted in this family.
14 years old from her birthday, I have been well preserved with each send her a birthday watch tradition. Also in that year, my second son, Arthur, to follow his brother footsteps, came back from Germany, started his watchmaking apprenticeship. A year ago his brother Alcide has started apprenticeship. Their brothers in Brisgau Fribourg studied German boarding school. I used to call them “twins” or “soul partner”, because they both are so similar. I try to give them a good education. From them, I seem to see past the days of our brothers, but also in such a great age, who took over from his father, the watch stores the family business, proud of his success. At the time we are so proud, that in a family business on under their own name, of course, when no one thought, then this cause will be as successful today, so brilliant.
Believe that each child’s Boxing Day, I will send them a special timepiece, just as other families will be passed from generation to generation of a high value of the treasures, which are a family of excellence will be our witness of watchmaking, the craftsmanship children and grandchildren deserve the mantle of family legend. Which Payouyitian our lives end, the body turned to dust, I believe these precious heritage is still able to make our story lasts.
Louis-Victor Baume log written in 1873.
A watchmaking family legend – Chapter 8
A whole new world.
After a difficult struck, dark malaise, we have finally ushered in the recovery time, into a new area.
Sometimes, sudden death will be approaching the way, suggesting its existence, and thus get a sense of victory and accomplishment. July 9, 1870, I and it is so called face to face, pass. Jean-Jean and I were together, that is Jean-Baptiste Jobin, he is our best case manufacturers. Now think about that scene was still shocking: a flash of lightning air impartial, just split in the center of our production Workshop, and I sat on that side, so miraculously escaped.
But five years later, in 1875, the brutal death finally came to our house, in Geneva after a stroke were taken away from his brother Eugène died, was only 53 years old. That year the family is overcome with grief for the year. In September, my beloved good wife, my life partner, the children’s mother Zéline, after a long illness, left us forever. We are crying, heartbroken. However, this is not coming to an end, followed by his brother Célestin also came close to being overwhelmed by the disease. Fortunately, this is just a false alarm, 56 years old, he lived disease resistance, tenacity through.
Ill he wants us to be able to accompany the side. He has no children, but want to create a career in London after the still family run. My son Arthur just very enthusiastic about this. We went to London after Christmas. Célestin clearly determined, Arthur, and my nephew Alexandre – Félicien my brother’s son, is preparing to set up called the “Baume & Co” of the new company.
Is now early 1876 a. Last year we lost the love of family, but this year has finally survive. Now I stand with countless memories of familiar places, look to the future … … a new look in this year, probably in July, we will be expected to proceed to conquer the new world – the United States.
Louis-Victor Baume was written in January 1876 of the log.
A watchmaking family legend – Chapter 9
Trip to the shock of Philadelphia
U.S. industrial expansion of the gap. The first World Exposition everything in a very large country held.
How I wish I could join that person travels ah! It was a real expedition, a historic moment. July 4, 1876 in Pennsylvania, at big cost the American people in celebrating the centenary of their declaration of independence. A new concept was born: the World Expo. This memorable event in the first signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Son of Arthur and nephew Alexandre took part in this event, they are accompanied with extensive travel experience travel brother Célestin. Célestin has always been keen to promote this business, has been this busy at work.
In their efforts, our products can be available on this grand exposition, they carefully answered questions from the thousands of visitors who reached a good deal, also received a medal; more importantly, In the event that the establishment of social networks, the company has a good reason to open an office in this important city. Have to admit, where we also feel a huge shock. U.S. watch industry incredible pace of development, we feel that no Bi Qinpei and confusion. Them into a symbol of industrialization is, took a called Elgin Illinois brands it a week it can produce 2000 independent movement.
When I have just returned from Arthur constantly pestering questions, he seemed incredible, because he could not pick any quality problems. Needless to say, the traditional Swiss watch industry now rivals the United States must face new challenges in the watchmaking industry. In our case, on the one hand more firmly adhering to the brand’s traditional values and beliefs, we also timely introduction of new energy and resources to enhance their competitive strength.
Louis-Victor Baume was written in August 1876 of the log.
A watchmaking family legend – Chapter 10
I passed the family torch
The value of the family wealth from generation to generation, including the most precious heritage – watchmaking culture.
Brother Célestin, heir to address the cause of the problem in London four years later, finally in 1880 left us forever. There is a saying in the Bible I am impressed, I think just summed up the scene at the time: “He passed away without any nostalgia.” I do not harbor ill thoughts, I just agree with this argument, if not nostalgia , and can be willing to let the next generation on board the main stage.
This family is rich in resources, has been to maintain a generation still alive when the torch will personally handover to the next generation of tradition. When my father was alive, the family took the first watch early to shop at less than 20 years old to take care of our brothers. I am 67 years old, have two grandchildren – Alexandre and James (who is Alcide’s twins), I think it is time.
In 1884, I retired all the public office, the property left to my children. Virgile in Geneva had married a year, I put in the Rue de la Bourse 1 issue of the house left him, so he and his wife settled there. Les Bois house to the Alcide, including my father left me in the commune of wooded land and pasture. Rue Petitot 1 No. house, Virgile and Alcide one half. Mélina often come to see me, I La Chaux d’Abel’s small farms, and farm and land left to her. Tim gave me a year Alcide had a grandson William. As a result, the completion of all thoughts, remove all the responsibility, I harbored feelings of pleasure in Boen An settle down. Then I married and Hortense, her small my 25-year-old former husband died, my son home to relatives.
I often think of my grandchildren among them should be someone to pass the mantle of this huge family, inherited the watch business, right? Hope that God also gave them the ability to operate this business!
Louis-Victor Baume in 1887 to write the log. (Louis-Victor Baume on September 8, 1887 died at the age of 71 years.)
