Hugo Jubert was a Swiss businessman and a foundational figure in the history of the Mido watch brand. He is best known for his role as a co-founder of the company, which was established during a pivotal moment in the 20th century.
On November 11, 1918, the same day the Armistice ended World War I, Jubert partnered with the visionary watchmaker Georges Schaeren to found Mido G. Schaeren & Cie SA in Solothurn, Switzerland. While Schaeren provided the technical horological expertise, Jubert brought essential commercial and business acumen to the nascent enterprise. This partnership allowed the brand to transition from a modest finishing shop into a recognized watch manufacture.
During the company’s early years, Jubert was instrumental in steering the brand through the post-war economic landscape. In the 1920s, Mido gained a reputation for its creative and elegant designs, often influenced by the Art Deco movement. Under the leadership of Jubert and the Schaeren brothers, the company produced decorative women’s timepieces and automotive-inspired watches for men, such as those shaped like radiator grilles for brands like Bugatti and Buick.
Jubert’s tenure was marked by the brand’s ability to balance novelty with technical quality. He was part of the leadership team that saw the brand expand its reach, even briefly providing models to be marketed by the Citizen watch company in Japan during the early 1930s. His collaboration with the Schaeren family helped lay the groundwork for Mido’s later technical milestones, including the development of the “Aquadura” water-resistance system and the launch of the durable Multifort line in 1934.
Hugo Jubert’s contribution to the horological industry is defined by his role in establishing a brand that has endured for over a century. By providing the business foundation for Georges Schaeren’s innovations, Jubert helped create a company known for its reliability and accessible luxury, a legacy that continues today as part of the Swatch Group.