Jehan-Jacques Blancpain was a Swiss watchmaker and entrepreneur, born in 1693, who is credited with founding the Blancpain watch brand. Historically documented as the oldest registered watchmaking house in the world, the company’s origins are traced back to 1735 in the village of Villeret, located in the Jura region of the Canton of Bern.

Before establishing his horological enterprise, Blancpain led a multifaceted life, working as a school teacher, cattle breeder, and horse farmer. He eventually served as the mayor of Villeret. His transition into watchmaking began in the upper floor of his family farmhouse, which had been built in 1636. This modest workshop initially focused on the production of pocket watch components and ebauche movements before progressing to the manufacture of complete timepieces by the late 18th century.

The business was established as a family-run operation, with Blancpain’s wife and his son, Isaac, contributing to the craftsmanship and production. In accordance with the customs of the era in Villeret, early watches produced by the family were typically unsigned, making physical evidence of their 18th-century work rare.

While modern historical research has noted that the brand’s 1735 founding date began appearing in company marketing during the mid-20th century—following earlier advertisements that cited 1815—the brand continues to be recognized for its legacy of continuity. The business remained within the Blancpain family for seven generations, spanning nearly 200 years, until it was eventually sold outside the family in 1932. Jehan-Jacques Blancpain’s foundational efforts in Villeret established a heritage of technical innovation that remains a cornerstone of the brand’s identity within the Swatch Group today.