VERGER FRERES

Verger Frères is a French luxury watchmaking company that was founded in 1821 by Justin Verger. The company is based in Besançon, France, which has a long history of watchmaking and is known as the "capital of French watchmaking."

Justin Verger was a skilled watchmaker who started the company with his two brothers, Jules and Edouard. They quickly gained a reputation for their high-quality timepieces and their commitment to traditional watchmaking techniques.

In the early years, Verger Frères specialized in making pocket watches and chronometers. However, they also expanded their offerings to include wristwatches as they became more popular in the early 20th century.

The Verger Frères watches were known for their precision, elegance, and attention to detail. The company won several awards for its timepieces, including the gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris.

Verger Frères was a highly respected watchmaking company, and they were also known for their reputation of supplying many of the top jewelry firms with their timepieces and jewelry pieces. However, what set Verger Frères apart was that they did not create pieces based on the designs provided by their clients. Instead, they sold their own original designs to retailers.

During the 1920s and 30s, Verger Frères was at the forefront of creating exceptional jewelry and timepieces for fine jewelry houses across Europe, America, and Paris. They worked with many renowned names in the industry, including Cartier, Lacloche Frères, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Tiffany, Trabert & Hoeffer, Black, Starr & Frost, and Bulgari. Their innovative designs, coupled with their dedication to traditional craftsmanship techniques and high-quality materials, set them apart from their competitors.

Verger Frères continued to thrive in the early part of the 20th century, but like many other luxury watchmakers, they faced challenges during the quartz crisis of the 1970s. The company struggled to compete with cheaper quartz watches, and they eventually ceased operations in the early 1980s.

However, in 2019, Verger Frères was revived by a team of watch enthusiasts who were passionate about preserving the company's legacy. They have continued to use traditional watchmaking techniques and high-quality materials to produce new Verger Frères timepieces that honor the company's rich history.

Overall, Verger Frères has a long and storied history in the world of luxury watchmaking. Their commitment to traditional techniques and craftsmanship made them a leader in the field, and their legacy continues to inspire watchmakers today.

The jewelry produced by Verger Frères was known for its high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and it was often inspired by the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles that were popular at the time. They used a variety of precious metals and gemstones, including diamonds, pearls, and emeralds.

One of their most famous jewelry pieces was a diamond and platinum brooch that was made in the Art Deco style. The brooch was designed to resemble a stylized butterfly, and it was set with over 2,000 diamonds. It was exhibited at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, where it received critical acclaim.

Overall, while Verger Frères did produce some jewelry pieces, their primary focus was on watchmaking. Nonetheless, the jewelry they did create showcased the same attention to detail and commitment to quality that characterized their watches, and they remain a testament to the company's enduring legacy.