Longcase month going regulator by Henri René Bünzli,1909

Henri René Bünzli (1870-1961)

Longcase month going regulator.

Varnished mahogany case with brass corner pillars and an architectural pediment.

20 cm engraved silver dial with Roman numerals and a subdial at 12 o'clock for the seconds, signed and dated 1909.

High-quality weight-driven movement, with a one-month power reserve, mounted on a large support with a suspension block supporting a steel pendulum with a gilt cylindrical weight.

Henri René Bünzli was a watchmaker, engineer, mechanic, and inventor born in Reims in 1870.

He trained as a watchmaker at the École d’Horlogerie de Paris (Paris School of Watchmaking) between 1885 and 1888.
He also worked in the field of precision regulator watches and fine watchmaking in the early 20th century.

In 1896, he co-founded the company Bünzli & Continsouza with Pierre-Victor Continsouza, located at 6 rue Fontaine au Roi in Paris.

In January 1898, this company was renamed Manufacture Française d’Appareils de Précision (French Precision Equipment Manufacturer), where they manufactured phonographs, cameras, and projectors between 1897 and 1899.

In August 1900, this company (along with its workshops and expertise in cinematographic equipment) merged with Pathé Frères to form, under the leadership of Claude Grivolas, the Compagnie Générale de Phonographes, Cinématographes et Appareils de Précision (General Company of Phonographs, Cinematographs and Precision Equipment).

This new company combined the manufacturing capabilities of Bünzli & Continsouza for technical equipment with Pathé's commercial and industrial activities.