The Société Genevoise d’Instruments de Physique (SIP)
The company was founded in 1862 by Geneva scientists Auguste De la Rive (1801-1873) and Marc Thury (1822-1905) to manufacture scientific instruments. From 1870, under the impetus of Théodore Turrettini (1845-1916), it diversified its activities into new energy sectors (hydro-motors, refrigeration systems, electricity meters), as well as metrology (precision rules). This three-fold expertise led to the development, in 1921, of a machine tool that would contribute to the growth of mass production in mechanics, the pointing machine, called the “MP”, capable of machining with a precision of the order of a thousandth of a millimetre. A true technological feat, this production will make SIP one of the most prestigious machine manufacturers in the world. After employing up to 1 600 people (1969), a prisoner of its engineering culture, the company struggled to adapt to the economic changes that affected the industry from 1970 onwards. In 1990, SIP left its Plainpalais site for Satigny. In 2006, with only around 40 employees left, it was taken over by the StarragHeckert group.
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Tschumi, Louis
Montgibert, April 20, 1879 – January 19, 1949
Coming from a family originally from Wiedlisbach (Oberaargau District, Canton of Bern), he studied at the College of Lausanne, then went on to study chemistry at the University of Lausanne. Doctor in analytical chemistry, he then completed an internship in medicinal chemistry. He worked at the Station viticole vaudoise, as an assistant in analytical chemistry, then at the Swiss Federal Station of Agricultural Chemistry in Lausanne, where he was assistant (1909-1927), deputy (1927-1930), then director (1930-1944).
Bibliography
· Chimie et industrie, Génie chimique, 1949, first semester, vol. 61, pp. CCCXIIV.
· Revue romande d’agriculture de viticulture et d’arboriculture, Lausanne, L’Union des syndicats agricoles romands, February 1949, 5th year, No. 2, p. 9.
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Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The