Chopard

Homage to the art of Fleurier watchmaking

Press Release

Homage to the Art of Fleurier Watchmaking

Ms Catherine Cardinal & Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele

On November 3, 2008, in Fleurier, the L.U.CEUM – Traces of Time museum organized for the second event of the series of “the L.U.CEUM meetings” an evening entitled, “Fleurier’s beautiful hours – or a homage to the art of Fleurier watchmaking”. Ms Catherine Cardinal gave a riveting conference that paid homage to the city’s production, in particular for China, and to the region’s renowned watchmakers.

This past November 3rd, in Fleurier, over one hundred and thirty guests attended an evening based on the theme, “Fleurier’s beautiful hours”. Invited by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, President of Chopard Manufacture, Ms Catherine Cardinal, curator of the Musée International de l’Horlogerie (International Museum of Horology) from 1987 to 2000, and an expert in enameled watches, made a special trip from Paris to give a presentation on Fleurier’s rich watchmaking heritage. She described the birth of watchmaking in Fleurier, its development, the making of Chinese watches and the local manufacturers. She spoke of the aesthetic and technical aspects of the cases and movements, as well as how they were made and their style.

Amongst the antique pieces that were exhibited that evening, it was possible to admire two pairs of enameled Chinese watches, a magnificent gold carriage watch, as well as several timepieces with delicately engraved movements or with carefully decorated cases.

Since “Fleurier’s beautiful hours” are also part of the present, Master Jean-Patrice Hofner, President of the Qualité Fleurier Foundation, recalled that Fleurier possessed a unique institution. The Qualité Fleurier Foundation provides in a single certificate an ensemble of specific criteria offering the client a guarantee of precision under all circumstances, proven durability and an exclusive aesthetic finish. This independent foundation is sponsored in particular by Chopard Manufacture and by Parmigiani Fleurier, of which the certified “Qualité Fleurier” models were exhibited. In Fleurier, Chopard Manufacture is thriving and it perpetuates the tradition of watchmaking and know-how and employs over one hundred and sixty individuals.

The guests found Fleurier’s history fascinating and among them were prominent figures of the local economy and the world of watchmaking. While Fleurier possesses a rich and passionate history, it is the region’s tradition, skill and heritage that offer the city the promise of a bright future.

1. Edouard et Léo Juvet, paire de montres de poche, Fleurier, vers 1860

2. Jean Tixier, montre de poche en or, Fleurier, vers 1840, vue du mouvement

3. Bovet, paire de montres de poche, Fleurier, vers 1845

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Homage to the art of Fleurier watchmaking

Homage to the art of Fleurier watchmaking

Thanks for this beautiful post, Kong!

Agreed, Nico, very beautiful. Have you ever tried sourcing for these pocket watches? [nt]

No, Kong