MANUFACTURE VUILLEMIN

Manufacture Vuillemin is the last French manufacturer of so-called "comtoises" clocks. For nearly half a century, it has been perpetuating the tradition and developing new collections with modern and design accents. In 2010, it was awarded the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant label.

History. The Manufacture horlogère Vuillemin, formerly SERAMM, has been in existence since 1969.

It was created by Jean Sdrigotti who started from a traditional movement that he had completely dismantled, reconstructing himself the tools used to manufacture the Comtoise clock elements, as they existed at the beginning of the 20th century. In 2010, it was taken over by Philippe Vuillemin and installed in Chatillon-le-Duc. Today it is the last company to perpetuate the know-how that was born in 1660 in the minds of the Mayet brothers, blacksmiths in the Jura at Morbier. It was they who invented and perfected the mechanical clock movement known as the cage-iron. The watch manufacturer now markets its clocks outside France (Switzerland, Belgium, Japan).

The products. From raw materials, brass, steel plate, stainless steel bar, Vuillemin manufactures more than 96% of the mechanical clock movement. Only the covering (pediment, weight, gong balance and dial) is made outside its workshops (by the company Gaudard in Morbier). It manufactures Comtoise clocks in solid oak, veneered oak, solid cherry..., as well as collectible watches, clocks, alarm clocks, Black Forest cuckoo clocks and customizable clocks.

The Manufacture still manufactures today the mechanical movement with a weight called "iron cage" in the purest watchmaking tradition.

Employment. Four employees: a watchmaker, two mechanics and a person in the administration.