The renowned businesswoman, Betty Fiechter, was widely recognized for her leadership as director of the prestigious watch manufacturer, Blancpain. Born in Villeret, Switzerland on April 29, 1896 to Jacob and Mary Fietcher, Betty's passion for watches ignited through her father's ownership of a watch movement company. In 1912, young Betty joined the esteemed company as an apprentice, as part of her vocational training. Following the acquisition of her father's business by Blancpain two years later, she became a permanent member of the team. Fiechter formed a close bond with Frédéric-Emile Blancpain, the owner of the family-owned company since its inception in 1735.
Amidst the chaos of World War I, Fiechter selflessly offered her services as a nurse in Saint-Imier. It was there that she crossed paths with Andre Léal, who would later become a salesman at Blancpain. Despite the turmoil around them, Fiechter remained dedicated to her work at Blancpain and rose from being a mere employee to becoming the trusted assistant of the company's owner in 1915. Her superior trained her personally, honing her skills and knowledge to eventually take over leadership of the company's workshops.
Blancpain had unshakable faith in Fiechter, often entrusting her to run the watchmaking operation in Villeret while he resided in his Lausanne home, miles away. To stay connected, she would send him weekly updates on wax cylinders played on phonographs – a primitive form of leaving voice messages – and he would respond in kind with his own recorded messages.
Following the passing of Frédéric-Emile Blancpain in 1932, Fiechter rose to the position of director and co-owner of the company alongside André Léal. With no member of the Blancpain clan remaining in control, the pair renamed the company as Rayville S.A. However, when Léal met his own demise in 1939, Fiechter became the sole proprietor. In her role, she placed great emphasis on producing watches for women and was known for her firm yet equitable approach towards her workers. Under her adept guidance, the company successfully released numerous new timepieces that captivated all audiences, including the illustrious Fifty Fathoms diving watch in 1953.
During the 1960s, Fiechter orchestrated a collaboration between Blancpain and multiple manufacturers, resulting in the formation of Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère. This strategic alliance preserved the distinct identities of each manufacturer while providing much-needed financial stability. Fiechter's influence on the Swiss watchmaking community was far-reaching, as her nephew Jean-Jacques jestingly remarked in 1984 that "the downfall of the Swiss watchmaking industry coincided with an all-male recruitment drive."
Over the course of three decades, Fiechter reigned as a leader at Blancpain, which was purchased by Swatch in 1992. Her various roles included that of president and general director, both held concurrently. She spearheaded the development of many highly sought-after timepieces for the company. Among her greatest achievements were her efforts towards elevating women's watches, such as the sleek and graceful Rolls - their very first automatic watch specifically catered to women, introduced in 1930; and the Ladybird - a delicate piece from 1956 that boasted the smallest circular movement ever created for a watch. These exquisite feminine designs caught the eye of none other than Marilyn Monroe herself.
Despite never marrying, Fiechter maintained a close partnership with her beloved who tragically passed away in an accident during her early years as director. She found comfort in her nieces and nephews, eventually sharing the company with her nephew Jean-Jacques when her health began to decline. On September 14, 1971, Fiechter passed away in Bienne, Switzerland. Two of her devoted nephews commissioned a marble bust of her in her hometown of Villeret in 1996 as homage to her lasting impact. Recently, Swiss artist Helena von Beust created a life-sized statue and biographical video in honor of Fiechter's legacy, solidifying her place in history.