Jewish Artisans Played an Integral Role in the Creation of the “Swiss Watch”
When you think about timepieces, particularly watches, Switzerland is typically mentioned as synonymous with beauty, craftsmanship and quality. The so-called “Watch Valley,” nestled in the Jura Mountains in and around Geneva, Neuchatel and Bern, is commonly referred to as the historic center of Swiss watchmaking, giving birth to such iconic brands as Omega, Patek Philippe and Rolex. Much of the popular history related to Swiss watchmaking suggests that it was primarily, if not exclusively, founded by French protestants, or Huguenots. A deeper dive into historical records indicates a somewhat different story…that Jewish artisans and craftsmen played a key role in the origins and development of the Swiss watch.
Key Figures in the Development of the Swiss Watch Industry
It’s important to understand that, prior to 1866, Jewish settlers in Switzerland did not enjoy full civil rights and did not have the freedom to settle anywhere in the country, so very few Jewish people chose to emigrate there. However, in 1871, Germany annexed the Alsace region of France and required anyone living there to either become a German citizen or leave the country.
About that same time, Switzerland ratified a new constitution, which lifted the restrictions on Jewish settlers. Not wanting to become German citizens, many of the Alsatian Jews moved to the Jura region, including a number of Jewish watchmakers. Though the Basel area already had an international reputation for its watchmaking, that success was built primarily on the old guild tradition, which typically frowned on industrialized methods of watch production. Because the Jewish watchmakers, or “horologists,” were almost universally not members of any of the guilds, they didn’t encounter the anti-technology sentiment prevalent in the local watchmaking industry at that time. When cheap American wristwatches and pocket watches threatened to destroy the Swiss watch industry, the Jewish immigrants almost singlehandedly saved it by adopting modern industrialized methods. Furthermore, because the Jewish artisans typically had wider international connections, due mostly to Jewish emigration, they were at the forefront of the Swiss watch industry’s expansion into more global markets.
How the Swiss Watch Industry Functioned before Jewish Immigration
Before the removal of restrictions on Jewish settlement in Switzerland, the watchmaking industry in the country functioned under what has been historically referred to as “fabrique horlogere,” a French term that essentially translates as “watch manufacturer.” In practice, it involved an extensive network of artisans, goldsmiths, engravers and others who worked in small home workshops, each contributing individually to one of the components of building a watch or clock.
One of the key ways that Jewish artisans and entrepreneurs transformed the Swiss watchmaking business and reputation was by consolidating all of those individual tasks within a single plant or facility, so that all aspects of the design, fabrication and assembly of a watch were done in-house.
The Key Players in the Growth of the Swiss Jewish Watchmaking Industry
Without a doubt the most famous and successful of all the Jewish watchmakers were the Didisheims/Ditisheims, who came to the Alsace in approximately 1694. Company founders Marc and Emmanuel founded the company in 1850 and family member Maurice Ditisheim opened a workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1858, where he crafted and sold high-end pocket watches. Maurice is credited with the invention of the first functional wristwatch with alarm, the Vulcain Cricket. The Ditisheim family played an essential role in Swiss watchmaking until the latter part of the 20th century, when quartz technology revolutionized high-end timepieces.
The Schwob family, founded by Theodore in 1862, ultimately became Tavannes/Cyma, one of the largest Swiss watch manufacturers in its day, using what at that time was advanced automated technology.
Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit—More Than Six Generations of Experience Providing Funeral and Burial Services
At Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit, we have served the Jewish community in New York and Florida for many years, bringing more than 130 years of experience to individuals in their time of bereavement. Because of our considerable experience, we know and understand the distinct customs within each Jewish tradition and can help you with every detail, from the organization of the memorial or the selection of a casket to arrangements for sitting Shiva or the preparation of a Yahrzeit calendar. We can also work directly with the Chevra Kadisha to ensure compliance with Jewish law in the preparation of the body.
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