Vision and missions - Genesis

Vision and missions

ARC HORLOGER was born out of the desire of those with expertise in watchmaking and mechanical art to preserve and promote their practices, which were added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2020.

The ARC HORLOGER association aims to bring together the various practitioners of this expertise on a long-term basis, to support them in preserving and passing on their practices, some of which date back centuries, and to promote this exceptional heritage.

Our missions

1. To promote greater awareness of traditional skills through a skills observatory and a directory of skilled practitioners. These two tools will enable ARC HORLOGER to take targeted action to safeguard and preserve the watchmaking and mechanical art professions. ARC HORLOGER is also committed to promoting and sharing open access documents.
2. Placing transmission at the heart of expertise. The transmission of watchmaking and mechanical art expertise, both living traditions that constantly oscillate between tradition and innovation, is essential to ensure their continued existence. ARC HORLOGER promotes the sharing of skills and the transmission of practices, in particular through the organisation of an annual Forum.
3. Supporting the development of promotion projects. ARC HORLOGER accompanies, supports and stimulates the implementation of cultural and tourist projects related to watchmaking and mechanical artistry, particularly through partnerships.

Genesis: a three-stage development

1. Towards UNESCO recognition of expertise in watchmaking and mechanical art (2003-2020)

ARC HORLOGER originated from the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in 2003. The text was ratified by France (2006) and then by Switzerland (2009), which were then tasked with identifying elements of heritage in their respective territories that could be included on the Intangible Heritage List.

Mechanical art was quickly identified in the canton of Vaud, expanded to include watchmaking and the cantons of the Jura Arc, and then extended to the French side of the Jura. Prepared by the communities of stakeholders – artisans and businesses, training centres, museums and archives – who rallied together for the occasion, the application file for watchmaking and mechanical artistry skills was submitted in 2019 and accepted a year later, in December 2020.

2. Two Interreg projects to ensure the transition (2021-2024)

Following the UNESCO inscription, two Franco-Swiss Interreg projects (interregional and border-crossing) were set up. They are led by the arcjurassien.ch association for Switzerland, and by Grand Besançon and the Doubs Horloger Regional Nature Park for France. Throughout the duration of the projects, those with expertise are closely involved in the various initiatives through expert committees and working groups.

These Interreg projects have led to numerous achievements: first and foremost, the design and implementation of the expected coordination structure, the major challenge of the project, and the embodiment of UNESCO registration among partners; the facilitation of communities of actors, but also the promotion and enhancement of know-how and its holders among the general public; finally, various safeguarding measures: an annual forum to address issues of transmission; a directory of documentary resource centres; a preliminary study for an observatory and a directory; and support for the ‘Transmissions’ exhibition.

3. The association takes off (December 2024)

The ARC HORLOGER association is formed on 6 December 2024 at the Club 44 premises in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Entrepreneurs Richard Vaucher and Thierry Bailly take on the roles of president and vice-president. A motivated and dynamic committee is set up, representing the various fields concerned. Working groups are formed to take charge of the various projects and develop new ones.