Jaccottet

Paul-Emile Jaccottet established a manufacturing business in 1842 and it quickly became one of the premier ebauche manufacturers in Switzerland. Under the management of Mauler, Ducommun, and Blanc, the business lasted until the early 20th century.

History

Travers is the capital and namesake of the Val-de-Travers, and entered watchmaking in the 18th century. But it was the business of Paul-Emile Jaccottet, established in 1842, that would make the town famous. P.-E. Jaccottet was a gifted watchmaker and mechanic, focused on the improvement of watchmaking manufacturing through the use of mechanical resources. Many of the industrial processes that were later credited to the Americans originated with Jaccottet, but his ideas were not appreciated in Geneva, where they were seen as a threat to the status quo. Relocating to Travers, Jaccottet focused initially on the manufacture of the new anchor escapements while also working to design his own movements.

Ebauches from Jaccottet were admired for both their technical characteristics and superior level of finish from the factory. Although he charged more than his competitors (chiefly Fontainemelon but also Japy in France), Jaccottet's ebauches were in such demand that he was relatively insulated from the fierce price-based competition that buffeted these companies in the 1860s. Jaccottet movements were appreciated not only by Swiss manufacturers but also in France, where quality was prized over volume. In addition to various varieties of key and crown winding movements, Jaccottet also manufactured blanks for marine chronometers, assortments for anchor escapements, compensated balances, and finished wheels.

Jaccottet also maintained a hydraulic factory in Furcil, near Noiraigue, and this was used for heavier manufacturing. This factory specialized in laminated steel for springs, watch and clock hands, as well as other watchmaking supplies. Paul-Emile Jaccottet also designed and manufactured machine tools for other manufacturers.