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| Article about Mougin Piquard and their watch brand Elix. |
The Mougin-family began the production of watches under the brand name "Elix" in 1852 in Besancon in France. Besancon is just near the border to Switzerland and home to some of the most wellknown french watch brands, like Lip (est. 1800), Yema (est. 1948) and Maty (est. 1952).
In 1927 the company were taken over by Ernest Mougin and Paul Piquard. It is said that they continued the production of Elix watches and also used their own names "Mougin Piquard". I have however not been able to find any vintage watches bearing their names.
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| Elix pocket watch, probably from the 50s |
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| Elix watch from the 60s |
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| Elix diver from the 60s Looks very much like a 36mm Super Compressor. From another angle it seems to have crosshatched crowns. |
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| Mougin Piquard "Elix" ad from 1975. Each watch model had an unique number. |
The sales increased and in 1979 the production had reached 110 000 watches. Mougin Piquard S.A. employed 40 people, participated in the la Foire de Bâle (now Baselworld) and issued an annual catalog. It must have been happy and prosperous times.
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| The factory at 1, rue des Cras, Besancon. As seen in 2015. |
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| The shop in Paris at 24, rue Pastourelle. As seen in 2009. |
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| Promotional item, Elix watch brand |
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| Elix chronograph from the 70s |
According to Mikrolisk a new company "Mougin & Piquard SA" were registred in Bienne in Switzerland in november 1980. From then on the brand "Elix" seems to have disappeared and a lot of "Mougin Piquard" watches with quartz movements can be found.
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| Mougin Piquard quartz watch from the 80s |
Thanks to these sources:
http://www.passion51.com/t2514-une-montre-a-gousset-elix
https://encheres.catawiki.eu/kavels/3337531-mougin-piquard-montre-gousset-ann-es-1980-avec-sa-chaine
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histoire_de_l%27horlogerie_%C3%A0_Besan%C3%A7on#Tribaudeau
http://forumamontres.forumactif.com/t86140p210-la-vintage-du-jour
http://forum.horlogerie-suisse.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10335
CLICK HERE - GO TO THE NEWEST POST ON THIS BLOG ABOUT LARGE VINTAGE WATCHES
Wow. Very nice article and thank you very much for the information. I never knew that Elix has such a long history and is more than 150 years old.
SvarSletThanks for your comment. Really appreciated.
SletA fantastic look at the history of these beautiful watches. Thank you for sharing your passion.
SvarSletAndrew
Hi Andrew. Thank you VERY much for your comment.
SletHi! I've got mechanical manual Mougin Piquard from early 80's, can send quality photos if it will be useful for your great blog.
SvarSletI just love this blog. Thanks for sharing such an informative post.
SvarSletI was looking for some information on the golden watches of my deceased mother-in-law. These watches laid for many years in a cupboard. Whilst cleaning out the cupboard I wanted to know they were still in working order or I should throw them away. It turned out that both are mechanical watches, probably from the fifties or sixties and so I wanted to know more about it's history and found your interesting and very informative blog. Thanks!
SvarSletI used to sell the Mougin & Piquard quartz range from catalogues in the UK in late 80s. Beautiful, finely finished watches with attention to detail and good quality materials. Very dated now, so 80s but 30+ years on, they're still ticking and the gold plating has stood the test of time. Imo a much underrated and sadly widely unknown brand.
SvarSlet