Besançon, capital of time
The traditional home of French clock-making, Besançon is continuing its avant-garde and innovative transformation into a leading-edge domain, in which it has excelled for more than 200 years.
A unique know-how which is perpetuated generation after generation, combining the flagship technological changes of each period. Today, the capital retains a certain power of attraction thanks to a synergy of competencies based around clock-making. And it is not a coincidence that prestigious brands set up or develop in the capital of Franche-Comté to develop their projects and invent the watches of tomorrow.
Inspiration from excellence
Today, numerous major clock-making brands have found in Besançon the ideal backdrop for their development.
Thematic Akteo watches offer a surprising and original design inspired by everyday life. Today, 300 models have emerged, some of them for major cultural events such as the Cannes Film Festival.
A designer, developer and watchmaker, this is how this Besançon business describes itself. The M. Benjamin brand offers exclusive watches that combine the ultimate in mechanical excellence, beauty of shapes and quality of materials. A partnership with the prestigious American brand Jacob&Co is a true leap in terms of volume and reputation for Benjamin Muller, who is already working on new concepts.
In 1995, the prestigious Swiss brand selected Besançon to set up its European after sales service, together with a training centre for future Breitling watchmakers. In 2012, the company confirmed its installation by building an ultramodern facility on the TEMIS technology centre.
A designer, developer and watchmaker, this is how this Besançon business describes itself. The M. Benjamin brand offers exclusive watches that combine the ultimate in mechanical excellence, beauty of shapes and quality of materials. A partnership with the prestigious American brand Jacob&Co is a true leap in terms of volume and reputation for Benjamin Muller, who is already working on new concepts.
Since 1857, Dodane has been the official supplier of the General Staff of the French Air Force and of numerous pilots in the world. Now it is developing a chronograph intended for civilians.
Established since 2000 in Besançon, the French distribution subsidiary of the Spanish brand sells nearly 1 million watches each year! The official timekeeper of the Tour de France, Festina has also developed its European after-sales service in the capital of French watchmaking.
Established since 2000 in Besançon, the French distribution subsidiary of the Spanish brand sells nearly 1 million watches each year! The official timekeeper of the Tour de France, Festina has also developed its European after-sales service in the capital of French watchmaking.
The last French factory to perpetuate the expertise of the MAYET brothers from Morbier in the Jura, who in 1660 invented and perfected the so-called "cage-iron" mechanical clock movement.
The Vuillemin factory perpetuates the tradition and develops new collections of clocks.
Rustling ticking remains the same, but the timepiece dresses in new colours, and takes on new clothes.
After several years of activity in Swiss watchmaking, Bruno Laville put its experience and know-how at the service of leading brands. He has created a workshop for the development and manufacture of collections, and an after-sales and reconditioning service adopted by the most prestigious Swiss brands.
In 2010, Leroy came back to basics in Besançon, with two men- Miguel Rodriguez, owner of Festina and William Tripet, a Swiss designer. Skills and talents: Besançon has all it takes to spread the brand from France.
Established more than 60 years ago in Besançon, the French specialist in distance selling of watches and jewellery has more than 600 employees specialising in the manufacture, expertise, service, and marketing of more than 4,000 different products!
A designer, developer and manufacturer of watches and precious jewellery, Jean Muller has chosen to put his talent to the service of prestigious names in Swiss watchmaking.
http://www.phenomen.fr/fr/la-societe.html
Seiko Watch Corporation chose Besançon more than 15 years ago. The headquarters of Seiko France ensures the marketing and distribution of Seiko, Pulsar and Lotus watches and clocks, as well as part of the creation of Pulsar watches...
Philippe Bérard now bets on more upscale collections. The company has partnered with the brand Certus Paris, and several designs have already been developed. The company relies on the reputation of France, inspired by great Paris monuments.
Philippe Bérard now bets on more upscale collections. The company has partnered with the brand Certus Paris, and several designs have already been developed. The company relies on the reputation of France, inspired by great Paris monuments.
Seiko Watch Corporation chose Besançon more than 15 years ago. The headquarters of Seiko France ensures the marketing and distribution of Seiko, Pulsar and Lotus watches and clocks, as well as part of the creation of Pulsar watches...
Manufacturer and creator of contemporary Comté clocks, Philippe Labru clearly states his attachment to the city of Besançon with its Latin crest. Some monumental creations: two clocks fixed on the Museum of Time and a six-ton model which marks the time at the new Besançon – Franche-Comté TGV station.
At the heart of French clock making
A few miles from Besançon, on the heights of the Jura, the clock-making tradition remains dynamic.
The jewels of the French clock-making business are therefore spread over a few kilometres.
- The Emile Péquignet de Morteau firm has just opened a store in Besançon
- The Ambre brand designs and manufactures under Zadig & Voltaire licence, Younger and Bresson woman and Yema, Prima Classe watches.
- Charquemont is home to the Saint-Honoré (125 years old) and Héberlin brand
- In Maîche, the Christian Bernard group has been entrusted with the distribution of Cacharel and Replay watches
- And lastly in Fins… the TWC Clyda group designs models with the Cerrutti, Christian Lacroix, Ted Lapidus and Thierry Mugler brands
A solid network of subcontractors
They work with the greatest discretion, but their know-how is much valued by Swiss watchmakers and the major brands of the Place Vendôme. In Besançon and in the area around the regional capital, the manufacturers of components have followed the ups and downs of world clock-making and have been able to adapt. They still manufacture here cases, bracelets, leather or metal, blanks for movements, crowns, glass faces, etc.
A watchmaking subcontractor since 1848, Cheval Frères has diversified its production, from parts of movements of which it is a specialist, to winder crowns to buttons. Its expertise: high-end watchmaking and luxury items.
Established in 1999, this innovative company has switched from the design to the manufacture of watch components for Swiss and French brands. Equipped with modern machinery, it produces with extreme precision, for small, medium or large series, links, prototypes or parts of boxes, buttons, steel, titanium, and gold bezels.
A subsidiary of TIMEX, the company designs and manufactures gears, wheels, springs and plates on the site of the old Kelton factory.
After several years of activity in Swiss watchmaking, Bruno Laville put its experience and know-how at the service of leading brands. He has created a workshop for the development and manufacture of collections, and an after-sales and reconditioning service adopted by the most prestigious Swiss brands.
Know-how handed down from father to son for four generations. A specialist of technical products, well known on the Place Vendôme, the company conducts highly delicate, à la carte work, from development to watch assembly, to logistics and to after-sales service.
Established in 1991 by Gerard Simon, the company specializes in the production of leather bracelets for the upscale watch market.
In the immediate vicinity of Besançon, several well-known businesses are developing in subcontracting for the clock making industry.
- In Avoudrey, SIS produces every month almost 10,000 leather bracelets for the large Swiss and international groups
- In Vercel, FM Industries manufactures cases and metallic bracelets but has also diversified into top of the range leather goods!
- Again in clock-making country, ISA France, BERTHET and VERLUX manufacture with great precision movement blanks, complicated mechanisms or watch glasses
- A genuine network of excellence and precision, from which one can also cite: VUILLEMIN-REGNIER, MB WATCHES, MOUCHES, Manufacture JEAN ROUSSEAU, SILAQUE, DECODOL, BARON SAS, AVIPO SAS, EDITOR CONCEPT, MUNNIER FRERES, COURTET HORLOGERIE, CRD, JEAN-LOUIS FRESARD, Groupe TWC CLYDA, JEAN MOREL, GERARD MIDEZ, NOVAT’HEURE, SLAVA PRECISION, SM 25, THEMATIK SYSTEM…
Adapted training courses
Learning nourishes excellence - A training course in "luxury and precision" engineering
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'ENSMM', the Higher National School for Mechanics and Micro-techniques
The AFPA provides training for the clock-making trades
The Jules Haag lycée, a specialist in microtechniques
The Edgar Faure lycée, speciality clock-makingSearch
Key figures
Economic area of 250,000 inhabitants
95 000 salaried jobs
30 000 students
A pool of 10 900 businesses and institutions
75 hectares of activity spaces immediately available for businesses
