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1865
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Charles Reuge, a watchmaker from the Val-de-Travers, moves
to Sainte-Croix and begins making pocket watches with musical movements.
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1877
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Thomas Edison invents the phonograph, which
has important consequences on music box making, especially around the
end of the century.
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1886
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The son of Charles Reuge, Albert, opens a music box “counter” in
Sainte-Croix. We then evolve from a basic workshop to a real company.
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1929
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The third generation of the Reuge dynasty,
Guido, Albert and Henri, invents the Kandahar ski binding, which helps
the company overcome the war and the economic crisis.
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1930
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Building of the Reuge factory, rue
des Rasses in Sainte-Croix, still in use today.
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1960
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Acquisition and manufacturing by Reuge of the first machines, which
allow the rationalization of the labor.
Guido begins again the manufacturing of large musical pieces, persuaded
that the music box movements has a future in the luxury gift market.
Reuge becomes world leader in
the deluxe musical movements.
Reuge buys Bontems in Paris, and takes over the manufacturing and the
marketing of the mechanical singing birds.
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1977-1991
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Reuge buys up the competition:
- Eschle, singing birds maker (1977)
- Mélodies SA, manufacturer of music boxes with Thorens discs (1985)
- Lador, 18-note movements maker (1986)
- Cuendet, producer of cuckoo movements (1991)
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1988
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Reuge is taken over by a group of Swiss
investors: development and modernising of the company.
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2000
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Reuge buys its main box supplier, Arte Intarsio, in Italy, and from now
on controls the complete manufacturing process of the music box movements.
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2001-2003
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Reuge goes through a major crisis, which leads to the reconstruction of the company.
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2004
2006
2007
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Reuge repositions the brand in luxury production:
the end of various product lines and a reorganization of the elements
of the marketing mix.
In order to satisfy an important demand, the number of employees is increased by 10%.
Changes are made in the Reuge Manufacture's Board of Directors.
Reuge holds 100% of Arte Intarsio's stock options.
Reuge acquieres the Mermod Frères brand, originating from Sainte-Croix and launches a world premiere: the Mermod Frères Primo 4, a musical wristwatch that plays on demand. www.mermodfreres.com
With 3 new boutiques, Reuge is now well established in China.
Reuge widens its contemporary line, by collaborating with Ferrari, Maybach and Peninsula Hotel.
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