MARVIN

Not a great deal is disclosed from the available records of the life and work of the brothers M. and E. Didisheim. It is however known that they were in business from 1850 in Saint-lmier in charge of a watch comptoir. This type of dealership allowed relatively low-risk access to force enterprise without any sizeable personal investment. From 1894, the small business was established in the nearby town of La Chaux-dc-Fonds. It was the source of time-pieces with small movements, presumably ladiest pocket-watches. I

t was only well into the 20th century that wristwatches were added to the collection, which enjoyed a favorable response, particularly in America. But they had to have a name, and in the end, a good customer from across the Atlantic, a certain Mr. Marvin, offered his.

Marvin was the signature on the dial of the "Motorist" watch of the 1930s. It had an extremely cambered case designed to be worn on the inside of the wrist. Marvin chronographs of various forms as well as a wide range of standard timepieces for men and women followed.

19.08.2000 Gisbert L. Brunner