Watchmaking Tourism Saga - La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle Region
Welcome to the 3rd episode of our watchmaking tourism saga. Today we’re in La Chaux-de-Fonds and its surrounding area, a region where many brands and many suppliers of the watchmaking industry are located. We’ll start with a little focus on the city, which is one of the largest at this altitude in Europe at 1,000 meters with a population of approximately 40,000 people. And at 40,000 it is the 3rd largest French-speaking city in Switzerland, which gives you a bit of perspective on the size of this country…
We often laugh among ourselves concerning the very special weather that people endure here: statistically speaking, there are 150 days per year with sub-zero temperatures and snow is regularly part of the picture! At the same time, this city benefits from quite sunny conditions as it is located above the layer of clouds often found in other parts of Switzerland.
But let’s go back to the watchmaking dimension of this region because it has really played an important role in the development of this industry and continues to do so.
Following on what we showed you that happened in Geneva and the Vallée de Joux and the importance of immigration of French protestant craftsmen, the same can be said as having taken place in these valleys. Watchmaking occupied a lot of farmers during the harsh winter periods during the 17th and 18th centuries. But as this industry grew, so did the rationalisation of fabrication methods, and people started to specialise in the different skills required to produce a full watch. The notion of a web and network of connected suppliers emerged, a principle that prevailed for a long time before the current verticalisation that we see today among the power houses of watchmaking.
Big drama took place in 1794 with a massive fire destroying almost all of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Watchmaking being already a big economic driver, rebuilding the city was seen as an opportunity and a very clever and comprehensive approach to make it as efficient as possible to support the development of the industry that followed. A grid approach was adopted for the streets in order to optimise circulation from one supplier to the next, and streets were made larger than what they had previously been. This helped with snow shovelling, but also with the simple fact that buildings would not cast shadows upon each other, light being so important for watchmakers to be able to see what they are doing!
But the reconstruction didn’t stop at these architectural parameters, and the social dimension was also greatly taken into consideration. Interactions between different social classes were also highly encouraged, as these new buildings would house not only workshops, but also their workers and bosses in the same units. Small gardens in front of houses let people grown their own vegetables, for instance, very similar to the concepts of urban farming that we are talking about today.
The cultural offering was also totally remarkable and of great quality, boasting theatres, concert halls with outstanding acoustics, and conference auditoriums. And the successful watchmakers themselves directly sponsored much of this infrastructure and the cultural performances. All this created a greater sense of solidarity, and the city as a whole was portrayed as a huge factory town, even described as an example by Karl Marx!
The basis of watchmaking industrialisation was set, and by the end of the 19th century almost half of the world’s watch production came out of this region.
The sister city of La Chaux-de-Fonds is called Le Locle, also built using the same grid principle, and between them one can say that they were at the epicentre of Swiss watch production until the 1980s, before the quartz revolution made a massive impact on mechanical watchmaking.
Because of all these very special urban features, La Chaux-de-Fond and Le Locle have been listed as a World Heritage Site of UNECSO, and I can guarantee you that people here are super proud of that.
Among some important people outside of watchmaking originating from La Chaux-de-Fonds, I would like to mention architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier, whose first works can be found here – well before other major projects in other parts of the world where the notion of collective architecture took on a special meaning. I would also like to mention Louis Chevrolet, founder of the Chevrolet Motor Company. This probably presents quite a surprise, but he must have taken some of this industrial and well planned background to the US.
If you come to visit this region, you should know there are 2 important watch museums, the International Watch Museum of La Chaux-de-Fonds hosting one of the biggest watch collections on display in the world, and the Museum des Monts just above Le Locle, which also has some very interesting pieces on exhibition.
Watch Museum, Switzerland
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning (UNESCO/NHK)
The site of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle watchmaking town-planning consists of two towns situated close to one another in a remote environment in the Swiss Jura mountains, on land ill-suited to farming. Their planning and buildings reflect watchmakers' need of rational organization. Planned in the early 19th century, after extensive fires, the towns owed their existence to this single industry. Their layout along an open-ended scheme ...
Source: UNESCO TV / © NHK Nippon Hoso Kyokai
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Tissot - Le Locle
Launched in 2003 for the 150th anniversary of the foundation of Tissot, the Le Locle collection is one of the brand’s best-sellers. A tribute to the birthplace of the brand, it has traditionally-made cases and dials that reflect the aesthetics of the clock face of the Le Locle church. As Tissot’s flagship line, it conveys traditional know-how, timeless aesthetics and a certain idea of good taste.
How it looks the Musée D'Horlogerie Du Locle
THE MUSEUM
The clockwork museum of Le Locle comes from a curiosity cabinet, which was founded in 1849. The aim of this first institution was to group all historical, archaeological, natural and mechanical curiosities of the region. In 1858, their collections were transferred to the new industrial school - predecessors of our today's secondary school. The museum consists of a considerable collection of natural history, with mammals, birds, reptiles, insects ... also antiques, weapons and above all coins. The art is not present. Strangely enough, the art of watchmaking is only isolated. At the time, the museum is open to the public only one day a year, on the day of school leaving.
In 1868 the watchmaker's school of Le Locle was opened. The watchmaking collections of the Museum of Le Locle are transferred to the new school for an educational purpose.
From then on, the clock museum follows the school's perturbations. After an upswing period due to the conversion in 1902 of the Uhrmacherschule into a technical center, it falls back into a dusty oblivion. At the beginning of the Second World War, the collections are carefully stored in boxes. At the end of the World War the lack of space does not allow the objects to be re-installed.
It was not until 1951 that a small group was set up to rebuild the museum. However, it faces a crucial problem: finding an adequate place to exhibit the collections. The acquisition of Châteaux des Monts thus meets all these hopes. In this magnificent setting the Clock Museum can revive and enrich itself with new collections.
The inauguration of the watch museum of Le Locle took place on 23 May 1959 in the Château des Monts.
Musée d'horlogerie - Château des Monts - Le Locle
A la découverte du château des Monts et de ses trésors.
Hebergé dans un château constuit en 1790, le Musée d'horlogerie du Locle dispose d'un des plus beaux écrins possibles. Au fil des salles d'exposition, les tic-tac des horloges enchantent toutes les visites.
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Das in einem im Jahr 1790 erbauten Schloss untergebrachte Uhrenmuseum Le Locle beherbergt eine der schönsten Uhrenschachteln, die man sich vorstellen kann. Das Ticktack der Uhren erfreut alle Besucher bei ihrem Spaziergang durch die Ausstellungsräume.
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A Walk Through Zenith Watches - Ep. 9 - WATCHMAKING ROADTRIP
Today'y adventure will let you enjoy a walk through the entire fabrication process of watch. From raw material to the actual finished product, Zenith has it all under one roof and is a fine example of what industrial watchmaking was in the late 19th century up to today, though we are now talking of much smaller and more exclusive volumes.
Zenith is also the creator of one of the most iconic watch movement, the El Primero, a movement which played a major role when it comes to accuracy and precision. This movement is still produced today and at one point equipped the famous Daytona from Rolex.
ERRATUM: Just wanted to clarify something because it is said that the El Primero is beating at 4Hz in the video and we all know that it beats at 5Hz, little lapsus from our side.
How it looks Cave Höhlenmühlen Le Locle and Watches Factory Switzerland???????? Salt Du Doubs France????????
Switzerland Famous Watches Factory : Rolex...Tag Heuer... Cartier...Tissot...Zenith...Longines...Rado...etc etc
Le Locle SWITZERLAND
The cave was opened in the 16th century in a natural rock grotto to use the energy of a waterfall by means of horizontal mills. The first documentary mention dates back to the year 1549. In the multi-storey limestone cave, a system of superimposed water wheels was installed, driving mills, threshing machines and saws.
The mills were then gradually modernized. In the 19th century, a turbine was installed, which allowed the operation of the mills in the largest cave (length: 25 m, width: 8 m, height 15 m) on four levels. The advent of electricity led to the abandonment of the mills, which were converted into a slaughterhouse around 1890.
In 1973 passionate history and cave explorers began their first restoration work. Today, the facilities restored in their original location are again functional.
The mills, opened to the public on July 1, 1987, by the Mullerian Brotherhood (Confrérie des Meuniers du Col-des-Roches), quickly became a public success.
In 1992 the foundation of the underground mills of Col-des-Roches was established to show the historical dimension of the site in an exhibition. The museum, which is located above the underground mills, can be visited before and after the cave visit.
It illustrates the various activities (grinding, sawing, power generation), the history of the place, the importance of water and the impact of the French border. Since 2001 there has been a permanent exhibition entitled From the grain to the bread, which informs about the complementary areas of grain cultivation, milling and bakery.
THE BASINS AND THE JUMP OF THE DOUBS
VILLERS LE LAC FRANCE
A site to discover ...
From Villers-le-Lac, the lazy Doubs winds its way through a valley, crosses the small lake of Chaillexon, then widens between mountains and cliffs to form the basins of the Doubs.
This natural reservoir, 3500 m long, 100 to 200 m wide and 30 to 40 m deep, where the water becomes blacker, constitutes a landscape of impressive beauty and authenticity. In winter, the ice covering these immobile waves offers the largest natural skating rink in Europe!
As a result of a geological upheaval, 14250 years ago, the Doubs basins is an exception for its operation in karst drainage, which causes natural variations of level of nearly 20 m between floods and low water levels.
Resulting from a landslide that has blocked the passage of water, the Saut du Doubs, an impetuous waterfall of 27 m, classified Grand National Site, constitutes the apotheosis of this reservoir of water.
The discovery of the site can be done:
- On foot: access from Villers-le-Lac via the GR5 (about 14 km round trip) or from the Vions car park (about 5 km round trip). Map of the footpaths free on request in the Tourist Offices of the Watchmaker's Country.
- In carriages: drawn by Comtois horses.
- By boat: for a cruise of 14 km commented in the heart of the Gorges du Doubs. A stopover allows access to the belvederes that dominate the fall.
Visite du Musée d'horlogerie du Locle
Visite au Musée d'horlogerie, Route des Monts, Le Locle, Suisse. Ces images ont été enregistrées au Musée d'horlogerie du Locle le 20 mars 2011. A visit to the Watch Museum, Route des Monts, Le Locle, Switzerland. These images were recorded at the Watch Museum 20 March 2011 Locle.
十點九分鐘錶Pocket Watch WatchMakers (Foudroyante)D.Delachaux Locle Tatent No12.910獨立製錶師1850年雙時區顯示1/4閃電碼錶
十點九分鐘錶WatchMakers( Foudroyante) D.Delachaux Locle Tatent No12.910獨立製錶師1850年可變換雙時區.觀測1/4秒閃電計時錶
Watch9After10詹師傅+886933594731
D.Delachaux Locle Tatent No12.910
Delachaux Locle大約在1850年代到1860年代.瑞士西部納沙泰爾州位於汝拉山脈的一座200年來的鐘錶重鎮力洛克。它是一個3/4板，兩個動力發條盒，一個獨立的中心秒針，一個1/4閃電計分小秒盤，錶殼在5點鐘方位設置有連桿可供計分停秒.瑞士手工研磨槓桿擒縱機構，超級分裂雙金屬補償平衡擺輪，完全天然紅寶石提供齒輪車心潤滑軸承，上鍊和調整雙時區從後面設置，表背有4個開洞上2 開洞是動力發條上鍊。 Delachaux Locle編號12,910.琺瑯錶盤配有兩個輔助錶盤數小時和分鐘，較小的秒數，秒錶，中心秒針刻度在版盤外緣.這是手工寫畫琺瑯燒製面板.他有2個獨立時區可以提供自由任意調校第2地方時區.或是另做計時用.也可提供格林威治時間.與他地時間.
D.Delachaux 作品傳世鮮少幾個其中編號12,709號目錄號83.82.396位於瑞士法語區.西部納沙泰爾州.汝拉山區內的拉紹德封（La Chaux-de-Fonds）MIH 國立鐘錶博物館
D.Delachaux Locle Tatent No12.910
Delachaux Locle was around the 1850s to the 1860s. The western province of Neuchatel was located in a 20-year watch town in the Jura Mountains. It is a 3/4 board, two power clockwork box, a separate center second hand, a quarter lightning strikes small seconds, the case at 5 o'clock position set with a connecting rod can be counted in seconds. Swiss hand polished lever escapement, super split bimetallic compensated balance balance wheel, fully natural ruby ??provide gears to the heart of the lubricated bearings, on the chain and adjust the double time zone set from behind, the back of the table has 4 holes on the 2 hole is the power Winding on the chain. Delachaux Locle number 12,910. Enamel dial with two auxiliary dials for hours and minutes, smaller seconds, stopwatch, center second hand scale on the outer edge of the plate. This is handmade enameled panel. He has 2 independent The time zone can be provided free to arbitrarily adjust the 2nd local time zone, or do another timekeeping. Also available in Greenwich time.
D.Delachaux works a few of them in the number of No. 12,709 No. 83.82.396 located in the Swiss-speaking area. Western Neuchatel state. Jura mountains within the La Chaux-de-Fonds (MI Cha) museum
A Swiss city made for its watchmakers
La Chaux-de-Fonds is a city resurrected from its ashes. After a catastrophic fire in 1794, it was rebuilt to suit the watchmakers who lived and worked there, making it a unique location in Switzerland.
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Omega Museum
I visited Omega Museum in Biel, CH in December 2012. Here some highlights of the visit.
Cover: omegamuseum.com-
Music: Olga Papikian, OP. 2 Seven Color Pieces (1966) 6. Blu
Camera: iPhone 4S
MIH Musee International d'horlogerie Switzerland
Horology Museum of La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland
Visiting Musée International D’Horlogerie in Switzerland | ANC-X Executive Class
Time and watch-making is embedded on the Swiss culture. Host David Celdran visits Musée International D’Horlogerie to learn more of its importance to the Swiss people.
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Giantto Swiss Watches- Luxury Re-Discovered Behind The Scenes Video Shoot
GET Entertainment presents the official behind the scenes for the Giantto Swiss Watches video shoot at Vasquez Rocks in California.
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arrival in the city of La Chaux-de-fonds, Switzerland. sony cx730
camera : sony cx 730
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La Chaux-de-Fonds is a Swiss city of the district of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the canton of Neuchâtel. It is located in the Jura mountains at an altitude of 1000 m, a few kilometres south of the French border. After Geneva and Lausanne, it is the third largest city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of the country, with a population of (as of December 2011) of 37,843.
Mission of the International Museum of Horology of La Chaux-de-Fonds
Find out with Mr Ludwig Oechslin, curator of the International Museum of Horology of La Chaux-de-Fonds, the mission of the museum and what makes it such a special place. @thewatchestv
Tissot Powermatic 80 COSC Silicium - how does a mechanical movement work ?
Tissot presents a tutorial 3D film which explains the basics of a mechanical movement with a focus on the benefits of the Silicon balance spring.
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
La Chaux-de-Fonds is a Swiss city of the district of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the canton of Neuchâtel. It is located in the Jura mountains at an altitude of 1000 m, a few kilometres south of the French border. After Geneva and Lausanne, it is the third largest city located completely in the Romandie, the French-speaking part of the country, with a population (as of December 2013) of 38,699
The city was founded in 1656. Its growth and prosperity is mainly bound up with the watch making industry. It is the most important centre of the watch making industry in the area known as the Watch Valley. Completely destroyed by a fire in 1794 La Chaux-de-Fonds was rebuilt following a grid street plan, which was and is still original among Swiss cities. Karl Marx said about the very special urban design of the city that it was a city-factory. The famous architect Le Corbusier, the writer Blaise Cendrars and the car maker Louis Chevrolet were born there. La Chaux-de-Fonds is a renowned centre of Art nouveau.
In 2009, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, its sister city, have jointly been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for their exceptional universal value.
Source: wikipedia.org
Watches that can cost as much as a house
Swiss Public Television, RTS, was recently given the rare chance to go behind the scenes at Greubel Forsey in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a company that ...
Swiss Public Television, RTS, was recently given the rare chance to go behind the scenes at Greubel Forsey in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a company that specialises in designing and manufacturing high-end watches. Company co-founder Stephen Forsey explains the intricate details of his timepieces.
The watches generally have multiple tourbillons and inclined balance wheels that make the timepieces extra expensive. The company employs more than one hundred people, with the majority in the hand-finishing department. All this attention to detail comes at a price, of course. The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision introduced in 2015 cost under CHF300,000 ($298,300). But the timepiece featured in this report costs more than CHF1 million.
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey launched their first watch, the Double Tourbillon 30° (DT30°), under their own brand “Greubel Forsey” at BaselWorld watch fair in 2004, after many years of development. In 2011, a Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique watch won the coveted International Chronometry Competition held by the Le Locle Museum of Horology. (RTS/swissinfo.ch)
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swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events.
For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or subscribe to our YouTube channel:
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