Daniel Jeanrichard (1665–1741) was a seminal Swiss watchmaker often credited as the founder of the watchmaking industry in the Neuchâtel Jura region. Born in the hamlet of Les Bressels, between La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, Jeanrichard’s career began under circumstances that have become legendary in horological history. According to tradition, at the age of 15, he was tasked with repairing a broken English pocket watch brought to him by a horse dealer. Despite having no formal training in the craft, he successfully repaired the timepiece and, by carefully studying its mechanism, taught himself the principles of watchmaking.
In 1681, Jeanrichard established his own workshop, an event traditionally marked as the birth of the industry in the region. His most significant contribution was the development of the établissage system, a decentralized production model. Rather than relying on the restrictive guild systems of Geneva, Jeanrichard trained local farmers and craftsmen to specialize in the production of specific watch components during the winter months. He would then collect these parts for final assembly. This method allowed for greater efficiency and lower costs, eventually making watches accessible to a broader segment of society.
Beyond his organizational innovations, Jeanrichard was a pioneer in mechanization. He designed and built several specialized tools and machines to improve the precision and volume of watch production, sharing these advancements with his colleagues to foster the growth of the local industry. His commitment to education led to the formalization of watchmaking apprenticeships, ensuring the transmission of technical skills to future generations, including his five sons who continued the family business.
The legacy of Daniel Jeanrichard is preserved through the modern JeanRichard watch brand, which was revived in the late 20th century by the Sowind Group. The brand draws inspiration from his pioneering spirit and technical ingenuity, with several of his original timepieces, such as the 1710 Daniel watch, housed in the Jeanrichard Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Today, a statue in the center of Le Locle commemorates Jeanrichard as the “father of watchmaking” in the Jura mountains, recognizing his role in transforming the region into a global center for horology.