The beginnings of watchmaking from the 13th to the 15th century in Geneva
Since the 13th century, the city has been known as a major international trade fair centre where merchants from all over Europe converge. The art and meticulous craftsmanship of the goldsmiths and locksmiths is widely praised and boosts the city's reputation. After the sale of their goods, the merchants spent their money on jewellery. Geneva is therefore a crossroads of civilizations, cultures and goods. One finds in Geneva the rue des Orfèvres (Golden Cross) which testifies to the importance of this craft.
A cradle of fine watchmaking since the 16th century
At that time, no other country in the world produced and sold as many watches as the city of Geneva. The Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, born in 1712 into a family of watchmakers, contributed to the fame of Geneva's watchmaking industry: "A watchmaker from Paris is only good for talking about watches, a watchmaker from Geneva is a man to be introduced everywhere, at least wherever there are intelligent people His life, his connection with watchmaking, and his work can be discovered at the Maison Rousseau in the old town.
Several historical factors were to encourage the development of Geneva's watchmaking industry in the 14th century. The first is linked to Jean Calvin (1509-1564). Originally a French pastor, he became the fervent defender of Protestant ideas in Switzerland. He settled in Geneva to develop his Calvinist theories and his ideas were adopted by the Council of Geneva. Very austere, he enforced the Calvinist sumptuary ordinances which set a precise rhythm for the life of citizens, morally and religiously. He completely banned all ostentatious signs of luxury. Jewelry, considered as useless and ceremonial objects, was no longer allowed. All the details on the application of the Reformation since 1536 can be discovered in the only museum in the world dedicated to this theme, the Museum of the Reformation near St. Peter's Cathedral. According to legend, Calvin nevertheless allowed the watch because it allowed the measurement of time: "At the hour of our death, we must account for every minute of our time." Goldsmiths had to adapt to this decision.
Many Italian, German and especially French Protestants, the Huguenots fleeing persecution, took refuge in Geneva. The city was a land of refuge and the buildings had to rise several stories to accommodate all this population (very visible at the place du Bourg-de-Four). These refugees did not arrive empty-handed but rather with gold in their hands. They combined their watchmaking know-how, their precious knowledge and their professional ethics with the talented goldsmiths and jewelers. The latter then became... watchmakers! The success was such that the very first corporation of watchmakers in the world was born in 1601 in Geneva. It was called the "Master Watchmakers of Geneva".
Some professions related to watchmaking
A name to be known to become unbeatable on the Geneva watchmaking industry: the factory. The factory is not a building housing the master watchmakers, but the term used since the 17th century to designate all the trades associated with watchmaking and jewellery: goldsmiths, enamellers, guilloche makers, engravers, case assemblers, chisellers, case-fitters, gilders... more than 46 trades were involved in creating these timepieces. Each craftsman worked separately, most often from home. The district of Saint-Gervais, on the right bank of the river on the heights of the Pont de l'Île bridge, was teeming with cabin makers. These craftsmen excelled in the art of combining the elements that gave the movement to automatic watches. Women began to make chains. Enamel painters and miniaturists sublimated luxury watches with their art. In 1800, the factory provided a living for 5,000 of the city's 26,000 inhabitants.
Without a stopwatch in hand, get lost in the districts of Geneva
After a tour of the dial in one of Geneva's charming hotels, it's time for a timeless journey! The very essence of haute horlogerie will be revealed as you walk along, and you'll lose all sense of time. Start in the Saint-Gervais district , a witness to the cabinotiers of yesteryear. Look up and you'll see the small windows of their former cabinets or workshops. The meticulous workers used to work high up to benefit from more light. Watch for the world's largest pendulum at theHôtel Cornavin. The clock measures 30 m, from the ninth floor to the first floor. Then cross the Rhône on the Pont de la Machine, the 19th-century industrial building that houses the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, which promotes Geneva art around the world. Before heading off to the lower streets on the left bank, make the not-to-be-missed detour to theHorloge fleurie, a mosaic-culture emblem of the watchmaking city that holds the record for the world's longest seconds hand. Stroll through the Jardin Anglais and, with a gargantuan swerve, you'll reach the city's most photographed water monument. The jet d'eau has panache: 142 m of guaranteed coolness and, above all, a link to watchmaking. Before 1891, the jet d'eau was located on the banks of the Rhône, and its role was purely functional. Watchmakers' workshops used the water to run their machines. A safety valve released the water pressure at the end of the day... the first water jet was born! Want more?
Check out the dates of the themed tours offered by thetourist office and let yourself be guided by a passionate professional, or ask for the Watch Tour map to find your way around on your own. The Watch Tour map is offered free of charge and allows you to discover twelve monuments and a route of all the major watchmaking boutiques in the lower streets, the old town and the famous Rue du Rhône. From the clock in the Passage Malbuisson to the most prestigious names such as Bucherer, Rolex and Jaeger-LeCoultre, you'll discover the florilegium of fine watchmaking.
A stroll along the quayside at night is a must, as the illuminated signs of the oldest houses are reflected in the waters of the lake. Like Vacheron Constantin, the world's oldest watch manufacturer, with uninterrupted activity for almost two hundred years (two brands were married in 1819), is Patek Philippe, founded in 1839. The company invites you to its prestigious Patek Philippe Museum in the Quartier des Bains to discover its unique collection of over 2,000 works. Such is the richness of the exhibition that you'll need at least three hours to complete the tour.
Most of the Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Frederique Constant and Rolex watchmakers are located in the Plan-les-Ouates district, also known as "Plan-les-Watch". Their doors are open only to potential customers.
The golden weight of Swiss watchmaking in the world
It seems obvious, Switzerland seems to be the world's leading producer of watches. Yet it produces only 2.5% of them, or about 30 million a year. But the Swiss work ethic aims to produce only high-end watches. It has a 50% share of the world watch market in value. 95% of watches over CHF 1,000 are produced in Switzerland. No less than 500 companies and about 57,000 employees are involved in keeping this timeless art alive.
