Le Locle is one of the most important “watch cities” of Switzerland.
Located just West of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Le Locle was the site of important developments in both the business and technology of watchmaking.
Starting in 1705, Daniel JeanRichard established a watchmaking industry in Le Locle. He began the etablissage tradition, where small workshops specialized in various watch components with a central manufacture bringing them together under their own branding. This practice continued for centuries, with major manufacturers gradually emerging, including Tissot, Zenith, Ulysse Nardin, and many others. Today, these companies remain in the town, along with watch manufacturing for many other famous names, including Montblanc, Rolex and Swatch Group.
Also located in Le Locle is a clock museum called “Musée d'Horlogerie du Locle,” which is located at the Château des Monts.