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16 | HISTORY
L
e
L
ocLe In the
17
th
and
18
th centurIes
Imagine the lofty, isolated plateau of the Neuchâtel country-
side, reaching heights of up to 1000 metres. At this period,
the only means of descent from this elevated land to the rest
of the world was by foot or in horse-drawn carts. The climate
was harsh, with severe winters.
Bear, wolf and boar were hunted here. The conditions in
which people had to exist were difficult, and human values
were essential : mutual support and generosity enabled the
first inhabitants to build their communities.
At this time, the town of Le Locle formed part of the Prin-
cipality of Neuchâtel, possession of the Kings of Prussia,
Frederick I, then Frederick-William II.
W
atch and cLock
-
makIng In
the
17
th and
18
th centurIes
During the 17th century, watch and clock-making was mainly
a French, German and English trade, but at the beginning of
the 18th century it flowered rapidly in Switzerland. As soon
as this new activity was established in Geneva, during the
1700s, it also took root in the Neuchâtel mountains.
A blacksmith, Daniel Jean Richard (1665-1741) is acknow-
ledged as the founding father of Swiss watchmaking.
It was he who introduced the trade first to La Sagne in 1705,
then to Le Locle.