A tradition rooted in a region

Before the advent of technology, economies were shaped by geography. The Jura Arc is crossed by numerous waterways. Initially very rural, the region experienced its industrial revolution in the 18th century, with a focus on environmental sustainability. In the winter, when nature went dormant, farmers became artisans. Thanks to the hydraulic energy provided by the rivers driving mills and later lathes through ingenious pulley systems, the region's artisans worked on both eyewear and watchmaking. An entire economy emerged and thrived for decades, proving that a model other than heavy industry in overcrowded cities was possible—and it still is today.

The Jura has evolved and followed technological advancements over time. The arrival of electricity in homes and workshops replaced the hydraulic energy of the mills. New models of organization and development emerged, allowing for increased productivity. Thankfully, the expertise remained. This heritage could have been lost when global competition affected the Jura's economic fabric, but it has endured.

In the second half of the 20th century, both watchmaking and eyewear brands had to adapt to mass production. The widespread adoption of electric machines by eyewear manufacturers and the rise of quartz in watchmaking caused tectonic shifts in history and geography with the advent of global competition, leading to an upheaval when low-cost overseas productions flooded the market. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. The decision that followed was a blessing in disguise.

There will always be something cheaper elsewhere. However, there are things that cannot be bought—expertise, patience, precision. These are qualities developed over centuries and have built the reputation of the Jura Arc. The true triumph of these artisans was to condense this expertise and reputation into the watch on your wrist or the glasses on your nose. Produce less but produce better—even produce the best that tradition has to offer.