Baumgartner BFG Watch Co.: Switzerland’s Specialist in Affordable Mechanical Movements
Baumgartner Frères SA—widely recognized by its abbreviation BFG—was a significant Swiss manufacturer of mechanical watch movements, best known for pioneering and producing the widely used Roskopf movements in the 20th century
Key Highlights
Founded: 1899 in Grenchen, Switzerland, by Arnold Baumgartner and his brothers
Specialty: The leading producer of Roskopf (“pin-pallet”) movements, which enabled the creation of robust, affordable watches for the masses
Scale: By the 1960s, BFG’s Grenchen factory produced millions of ebauche (blank movement) units per year, with production expanding more than sevenfold after World War II
Range: Manufactured movements from 6.75 to 13.5 lignes in size, plus special stopwatch movements up to 19 lignes, supplying countless watch brands globally
Longevity: Operated independently until ceasing operations in 1981, making it one of the last major Roskopf movement specialists in Switzerland
Notable Movement Families
BFG 66x, 68x, 866: Famous pin-lever (Roskopf) movements, found in robust and popular manual-wind and alarm clocks, as well as inexpensive wristwatches and stopwatches from the mid-20th century
Innovative Design: Movements were respected for their clever, serviceable design despite a no-frills, utilitarian reputation
Industry Importance & Legacy
Democratization of Watches: BFG’s affordable movements helped make reliable Swiss mechanical watches accessible to a much broader market, both in Switzerland and internationally
Supply Chain Role: Supplied ebauches and complete movements to countless brands, powering an array of timepieces from simple wristwatches to stopwatches across continents
Collectibility: Vintage Baumgartner-powered watches and clocks attract collectors for their historical significance and enduring, straightforward mechanics
Why BFG Matters
Workhorse Movements: Engineered for reliability, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness—embodying the Roskopf movement philosophy