The HEBDOMAS watch was first made at the turn of the century and has continued steadily its production, with minor variation, ever since. The watch has a distinctive style with a small dial, visible balance wheel and a decorated balance cock.
The outstanding feature is the unusual large mainspring barrel which occupies the rear of the movement.
The origin of the watch traces back to 1888when a watchmaker from the Jura canton (Switzerland) applied for a patent for an 8-days watch with a visible escapement. The patent was granted on 10 january 1889 but this in turn was purchased by a watchmaker from La Ferrière, Arthur Graizely, who developed the watch into a commercial success. Later, in partnership with Otto Schildfrom Grenchen, they set up business in La-Chaux-de-Fonds at the beginning of the century under the name of Graizely & Co.
In 1906 the partnership was dissolved and a new company was formed under the name of SCHILD & Co., and established in a new factory in Rue du Parc, La-Chaux-de-Fonds, which is the present address of the company. Examples of the HEBDOMAS watch may often be seen in museums and private collections. Hebdomas watches obtained many rewards and medals f.i. Geneva 1896, Paris 1900, Chicago 1902, Milan 1906, Bruxelles 1910, Berne 1914.
