Neuchâtel, Land of watchmakers

UNIQUE. A unique site at the heart of time. Dedicated to watchmaking and a global ambassador of this fascinating expertise, the region of Neuchâtel is a remarkable distillation of Swiss ingenuity. While other regions lay claim to a watchmaking tradition, none has the legitimacy of the region of Neuchâtel.

Even at the end of the 17th century, farmer-watchmakers produced watches here for clients in every corner of the globe. In 1914, 55% of the world’s production came from La Chaux-de-Fonds. Housing and workshops were closely associated, and manufactures with their large windows reflected the need for light, so essential for the work of the watchmaker at his bench. The architecture and town planning of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle are a testament to the watch industry’s roots in this region.

Since 2009, the two “manufacture cities” have been a UNESCO world heritage site. The watch industry’s most rigorous quality symbol, the “Qualité Fleurier” label, also has its origins in the Neuchâtel region. The heart of Swiss watchmaking has beaten since time immemorial in this land. And it is here that, even today, many of its most fabulous creations see the light of day.