Community Stories

100 years old movie from Longines' manufacture discovered in Switzerland

Tony C.
Posts
7,808
Likes
27,136
Outstanding! Thanks very much for posting the film.
 
ahsposo
Posts
3,773
Likes
20,190
Excellent. Thanks for posting.
 
Myron
Posts
303
Likes
621
Extremely cool! Thanks for sharing this.
 
JimInOz
Posts
16,867
Likes
35,355
Thanks for posting. It's an amazing glimpse into the past of manufacturing.

Just one question. Where were all of the OH&S Inspectors? And the Worksafe Delegates? And the Union Representatives?

😉
 
SpeedyPhill
Posts
6,421
Likes
11,860
Sometimes gems like this footage turn up... thx for sharing !
 
any4xx
Posts
256
Likes
293
THAT was awesome. Machines run by leather belts and not a glove nor pair of safety glasses in sight. The good old days...
 
Syrte
Posts
7,624
Likes
21,861
Very cool, thanks for sharing.

Quite incredible to be reminded how fine and highly mechanized industrial processes were already 100 years ago. Time flies fast.

Also it shows which jobs were deemed fit for women, which is the interesting subject of Stephanie Lachat’s phD. I seem to recall she explained that in those days they weren’t considered the most noble jobs of the industry, but when I look at it what more essential task could there be than to adjust the hairspring into the balance assembly?

Finally, I’ll have a little prayer for the RTS that’s distributing this film (Radio Television Suisse), Switzerland’s public broadcaster, which is under threat of an imminent shut down as the Swiss are about to vote a ballot initiative to cut all funding. Another example, if you ask me, of the reign of self-interest killing communal values of knowledge.
 
jimmyd13
Posts
3,172
Likes
7,325
I couldn't help but be drawn to the way those machines were powered. Everything is belt driven. It's possible that the factory was running on a water wheel but much more likely that the place was steam driven, with one central engine. The noise must have been deafening.
 
Mr.Cairo
Posts
521
Likes
2,572
Syrte Syrte
Another example, if you ask me, of the reign of self-interest killing communal values of knowledge.

So true, and sadly seems to be a trend throughout Europe at the moment
 
gatorcpa
Posts
12,835
Likes
17,504
Mr.Cairo Mr.Cairo
So true, and sadly seems to be a trend throughout Europe at the moment
And the USA as well. 🙁
gatorcpa
 
Syrte
Posts
7,624
Likes
21,861
Mr.Cairo Mr.Cairo
So true, and sadly seems to be a trend throughout Europe at the moment
gatorcpa gatorcpa
And the USA as well. 🙁
gatorcpa
I was going to say, perhaps US and vast swaths of Asia are already far gone along that path?
 
Deafboy
Posts
2,351
Likes
6,741
Terrific find! Thanks for sharing.
 
GordonL
Posts
431
Likes
632
yes - what an amazing piece of history. Probably all steam-driven, and very noisy. Must have been a lot of swarf flying around as well - none of your "clean room" conditions back then. A lot of dirty looking finger nails as well. But superb film.
 
Kerouac
Posts
20
Likes
16
Wow! Great find! Thanks for sharing with the community!
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

SW4323

Omega Pocketwatch Red twelve - over 100 years old!

SW4323 Private Watch Sales
SW4323
SW4323
Posts
18
Views
19K
John Chris

100 years old and still counting

John Chris Rolex Watches
John Chris
John Chris
Posts
9
Views
2K