French Industrialised Swiss Watch
The Swiss watch industry began in the 16th century, shaped by religious changes, the arrival of Huguenot refugees, and the clever work of pioneers like Daniel JeanRichard and Jean-Marc Vacheron. Its fame owes a lot to more than just location and clever ideas — it really blossomed thanks to talented craftspeople, especially Huguenot refugees, moving from France to Switzerland. Historical Context of Huguenots in Switzerland The Huguenots were French Protestants following the Calvinist faith. When religious tensions grew—especially after King Henry IV withdrew the Edict of Nantes in 1685—many kindly sought a new home abroad. Quite a few settled in Geneva, which already had a lovely community of skilled craftspeople, especially in goldsmithing and jewellery. They brought along their talent for precise metalwork and portable timepieces. Thanks to Jean Calvin’s 16th-century ban on showy jewellery, Geneva was ready to embrace practical luxury items like watches,...
