No
Swiss Watch, if it had not been the Reformation ?
The Swiss watch industry has started in the middle of the
16th century in Geneva. In those days, not only big tower
clocks, table clocks and wall clocks to be used at home but
also portable watches were already produced in Europe, mainly
in northern part of Italy, southern part of Germany and France.
In the 17th century, the watchmaking in those areas gradually
weakened, and at the beginning of the 18th century, Geneva
became one of important centers of watchmaking.
Why watchmaking developed in Geneva?
The Reformation which took place in Western Europe in the
16th century had big influence on it. The Reformation (1517)
is religious revolution stirred up by Martin Luther objecting
to doctrines and practices in the medieval church (now, recall
the world history lesson at school ! ). The movement spread
all over Europe, and in 1541, John Calvin set about revolutionizing
Genevan society. In France, the conflict between French Protestants
(called Huguenots) and Catholic churches led to armed wars
(The French Wars of Religion:1562-1598). The war ended as
King of France proclaimed the Edict of Nantes, which granted
to Hugnots the freedom of worship. However, during the struggles,
many of Huguenots had left France fleeing religious persecution.
Many of them refuged in "Calvin's Geneva", and many
of these refugees were clock and watch makers.
Geneva at that time was known for jewelry by skilled goldsmiths
and enamellers. But, the reform by Calvin regulated also people's
life and behavior, for example, forbade wearing jewellery.
So, goldsmiths and enamellers in Geneva got not to able to
make a living. They gradually turned to watchmaking assisted
by Huguenots who had the technique, and their talent, craft
technique got new outlets in watchmaking.
By the end of the 17th century, number of Geneva's watchmakers
grew, and organized. Shortly, the regulation of Calvin was
relaxed, then, Geneva decorative art revived combined with
watchmaking technique. Thus, Genevan watches became reputed
for its beauty and quality.
In the 18th century, the watchmaking trade spread along the
Jura Mountains. In the 19th Century, complicated watches such
as self-winding, perpetual calendar, fly-back chronograph
were invented. Swiss watchmaking industry has put up steadily
its leading position in the world.
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