Watchmaking is a UNESCO intangible heritage

Since Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Franco-Swiss watchmaking and mechanical arts have been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. (At Charlie Paris), French watchmaking expertise holds a special place. Since the beginning of our journey, we have valued and been committed to promoting watchmaking expertise, and this recognition from UNESCO encourages us to continue on this path. As a brand of French watches, We are led to work with many service providers and craftsmen in the Franche-Comté region, so we are very happy to share our passion and watchmaking expertise with them and with all professionals in the sector.

Watchmaking as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: A Franco-Swiss Project

France and Switzerland are renowned for their watchmaking heritage. The Franco-Swiss region boasts a diverse array of manufacturers, artisans, and companies, as well as watchmaking schools, associations, and members who uphold and pass on watchmaking expertise and tradition. Watchmaking companies and, more broadly, watch enthusiasts have joined forces to launch this ambitious project and protect the watchmaking industry. Submitted in March 2019, the application was spearheaded by Switzerland in collaboration with France.

An application described as exemplary: UNESCO warmly welcomed this nomination, deeming it "exemplary" for highlighting a cross-border cultural heritage. As of Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Franco-Swiss watchmaking and mechanical arts have therefore been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This announcement is good news for watch enthusiasts, industry professionals and all watch brands, like Charlie Paris!

Watchmaking: the recognition of a living tradition 

In Switzerland, watchmaking took root in Geneva in the mid-16th century. John Calvin, originally a French pastor, chose to leave the Catholic Church to champion the ideas of the Protestant Reformation. He sought refuge in Switzerland and quickly gained influence, particularly in Geneva. In 1541, through one of his reforms, Calvin prohibited the wearing of ornamental objects. This led jewelers and goldsmiths to turn to another craft: watchmaking. The Swiss watch industry is present on all five continents. It is currently Switzerland's third-largest export sector, representing 95% of its production. Swiss watches are renowned for their exceptional quality and numerous luxury timepieces from prestigious manufacturers. While Swiss watchmaking enjoys an unparalleled global reputation, France is also a watchmaking nation recognized for its expertise. Contrary to what one might think, the French watchmaking industry has a long history. If you would like to learn more about the history of French watchmaking, we have written an article on the subject. 

• In 1492, The mechanical watch appeared in France and automatic watches for men and women also began to appear. 
• There revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 will be a real scourge for excellence French watchmaking. Indeed, there will be a mass emigration of French Protestant watchmakers abroad, taking their knowledge and manufacturing secrets with them. Watchmaking has existed in the Franche-Comté region since the end of the 17th century, notably thanks to the Comtoise clock. 
• To the end of the 18th^th century, The Swiss watchmaking industry was hit by unemployment. Swiss watchmakers then settled in Besançon, which became the capital of French watchmaking. Today, Burgundy-Franche-Comté is the leading watchmaking region in France.

Besançon maintained a leading role in watchmaking until the crisis of the 1930s, but the sector gradually declined after the end of the Second World War. Nevertheless, watchmaking remains a significant presence in the city. Today, even though the number of workshops has dwindled to just 89, representing 2,119 jobs in the region, Besançon still bears indelible traces of this past: the Dodane watch factory, the Time Museum, the monumental clock at the Viotte train station, and the Besançon School of Watchmaking, which has become a nationally recognized institution, all bear witness to this.

Watchmaking, between tradition & innovation at Charlie Paris: 

Today, many watch brands are innovating in the watchmaking sector, breathing new life into French watchmaking. At Charlie Paris, we offer contemporary watches that respect the unique expertise of French watchmaking, all at a fair price thanks to a direct sales process, without intermediaries. As you can see, Charlie Paris is at the crossroads of innovation and respect for tradition. All Charlie Paris watches are assembled in our Parisian workshop. We also manufacture... men's watches that women's watches, quartz or automatic.