Pocket Watches from XVII century

Over the century pocket watches have all kinds of changes to reach the highest perfection, and as a tool and as a work of art. The flowering time Crafts in Geneva is at the beginning of XVII century. In part this was due to the law reformer Jean Calvin to ban the wearing of luxurious clothing and jewelry, which led to the jewelers to elect a new craft - hour. Geneva was the before and after entry into the Swiss Confederation in 1815, the center of fashion and commerce, but watch production moved to other parts of the country. Time of Geneva is famous for its watch production since the early 19 th century.
Antique pocket watch
By that time in Switzerland were founded family factory, in particular - hour workshop. They specialize in the art of enamel painting. Buyers of these hours were the rich family and the nobles, so great attention has been paid as appearance of the clock, and the appearance of the mechanism. Of course, one of the most famous artists is the time of Henry Monard. The Swiss, especially zhenevtsy were not only very creative time in the field of skill, but also through the banking system in the country - excellent entrepreneurs. From the outset, the clock was geared for export.

When the watch industry is booming production, the Swiss began to create original designs. Components of the clock were made by craftsmen in the home or in small shops, located on the outskirts of Geneva. Final assembly of hours in Geneva. Watches Geneva masters different design and elegant finish. The method of applying a transparent enamel on canvas painting was invented in Geneva in 1760 and soon spread to design-hour blocks. The turning point in the history of the Swiss watch industry began 40 years of XIX century. When the Technical Director of Vacheron Constantin Georges Auguste Lesho (1800-1884) designed the specialized equipment for the manufacture of parts timers extraordinary accuracy. The Swiss watch industry throughout the XIX century gaining strength and breadth.

In the first half of the century, Switzerland ahead of the UK in terms of production and sale of the time of production, thus becoming the world leader in the production of watches.