Borel Fils & Cie
Name
Borel Fils & Cie
Borel Fils & Cie is a Swiss watch manufacturing company with origins dating back to 1859. Founded by Jules Borel (1832-1898) and his brother-in-law Paul Courvoisier in Neuchâtel, it began as Borel & Courvoisier, succeeding Henri Reynier Fils. After Courvoisier’s death in 1894, the company became Borel-Courvoisier AS, and four years later, upon Jules Borel's passing, his son Ernest Borel (1869-1951) took over ownership and management, renaming the company to Ernest Borel & Cie.
The company quickly became known for its innovation and unique design, particularly with the "Cocktail" collection introduced in 1953. These watches, featuring kaleidoscope dials, gained popularity for their distinctive shapes, materials, and color variations. Ernest Borel’s watches earned numerous awards, including the "First Class" medal at the Swiss National Exhibition in 1881 and several distinctions at watchmaking competitions in Neuchâtel.
From 1923 to 1975, Adamir Debrot led production, bringing technical innovations that significantly contributed to the brand’s success, particularly during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. The company was acquired by Aubry Frère SA in 1975 and later by a Hong Kong investor in 1989. Today, Borel Fils & Cie continues its watchmaking tradition, though its once-renowned reputation and unique character have somewhat diminished under new management.