Watchmaking: French know-how

Watchmaking is an artisanal profession which, through its complexity and artistic potential, has quickly become an art. If art and know-how are not synonymous, they are nevertheless close. This know-how was rewarded in December 2020 by UNESCO, since watchmaking know-how and artistic mechanics were included in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. There French watch is more than ever at the top of world watchmaking.

Watchmaking, technical know-how

Watchmaking is a profession where the professional must perfectly master many aspects without which robustness and precision cannot be guaranteed. Mastery of alloys and, more generally, of materials will allow the timepiece to be both robust, reliable and aesthetic. While knowledge of mechanical movements will allow precise movement to be obtained.

This amount of technical knowledge makes it possible to obtain an object of exceptional quality and reliability.

Watchmaking, the know-how of aesthetes

Watchmaking is also a craft where aesthetics plays as important a role as the intrinsic technical quality of the timepiece. Alloys and their compositions have a strong impact on the colors and brightness of the elements.

The dial must correspond to the purpose of the watch, but also to the clientele, who may be just as fond of sobriety as of technical elements such as an altimeter or a date. Visual harmony, good reading of the time and indicators as well as the general appearance of the timepiece are among the aesthetic challenges of a French watch.

If Switzerland is particularly renowned for its watches, in France, it is the city of Besançon which is the standard bearer of French watchmaking. Indeed, the city which defines itself as the capital of time has been working for many years to promote French watches, but also to breathe a wind of renewal into French watchmaking. Crowned intangible cultural heritage of humanity, French know-how in the field of watchmaking and the art of mechanics is more alive than ever and has a bright future ahead of it.