Watchmaking farms

Discover the most beautiful watchmaking farms in the Vallée de Joux and depending on your mood, you can enjoy them either on foot or on bike using a map that identifies some 26 farms marking the origins of watchmaking in the region.

These 15th century stone buildings were originally built by farmers working reclaimed forest lands. In summer they would work the land and starting in the 17th century with the birth of industrialization, they would occupy their long, hard winter evenings manufacturing watchmaking components. This activity had a direct influence on the
architecture of their habitats which has become an important trademark of the region. Because of the need to maximize the use of natural light, they opened facades and added gables to allow them to creating openings to install windows all the way up to the attic. Behind these numerous windows they would set up their watchmaking benches.
Although these historical edifices are private residences and therefore impossible to visit; they offer an excellent guiding theme to wander through the villages of the region and discover the local patrimony.