L’usine de décolletage Anthoine Émile et Fils a été L’atelier d’Anthogyr inaugurée à proximité de la gare de Sallanches en 1919. en 1947. The Anthoine Émile et Fils bar turning factory was built The Anthogyr near the train station in Sallanches in 1919. workshop in 1947. 1815-1946 BAR TURNING AND THE ARVE VALLEY: THE BIRTHPLACE OF ANTHOGYR Bar turning, or décolletage in French, began Claude’s son, officially registered a specialized in France’s Arve Valley at the end of the subcontracting workshop. Nevertheless, it eighteenth century as a result of the particularly took until the third generation before the first harsh winters that kept farmers indoors and at factory was built. In 1908, Émile Anthoine the workbench. In those days, metal work constructed the factory in nearby Magland, at consisted of crafting screw threads by turning the same time that he founded the Anthoine the material. With only the simplest of establishments, which became Anthoine Émile equipment—hand tools and foot-operated lathes—peasants would work during the off- season making parts to earn extra income. In the early nineteenth century, Soon, due to demand from artisans in Geneva, Claude Anthoine, the first of Switzerland, a seasonal activity performed in his kind, liked to say that he the back corners of barns came to specialize in moving parts for watches and timepieces. In had four occupations: farmer, the early nineteenth century, Claude Anthoine, miller, beekeeper, and artisan the first of his kind, liked to say that he had four watchmaker occupations: farmer, miller, beekeeper, and artisan watchmaker. Over time, the business grew and the instruments used were improved. In 1835, a shaft was added to bar lathes allowing et Fils (AEF) in 1917. The opening of a second users to craft consistent, identical parts without production site in Sallanches, France in 1919 constantly switching out tools; in 1870, the was a testament to the industrial scale of the machines became automated through the use family business and its reputation in the valley. of rotating cam-holders. The task’s precision Deemed a “priority business” by the French and the tiny size of the parts turned workers government in 1943, AEF experienced no into true professionals of their vocation. In 1848,shortage of raw materials during the war. two events bore witness to this transition: The company then underwent a decisive first, a French Royal School of Watchmaking diversification that would one day give rise to was formed, and second, Joseph Anthoine, Anthogyr. 23 rygohtnA’d stnanruot sdnarg seL