News To broaden its activities in the La Chaux-de-Fonds region, Patek Philippe has united its three partner companies Calame, Poli-Art and SHG under one roof.
On 2 March this year a new production site was opened in Le Crêt-du-Locle by Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe, accompanied by Philippe Stern, honorary president, Claude Peny, CEO, and Frédérique Hainard, Councillor of State and Head of the Economic Department of the canton of Neuchâtel, along with numerous guests.
In November 2007, Patek Philippe purchased an 18,000-m2 plot of land in Crêt-du-Locle with the intention of strengthening its presence in the La Chaux-de-Fonds region. The plan was to erect a production centre specialized in watch cases, exterior elements, polishing work, and gemsetting. The work began in April 2008, and the cornerstone was laid on October 1, 2008.
Until last autumn the three companies - Calame & Cie SA, Poli-Art SA and SHG – had been dispersed in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds in premises that had grown too cramped. Calame & Cie was acquired by Patek Philippe in April 2001. The company is a respected manufacturer of timepiece cases for the high-end segments. As an independent business unit, it works directly with the manufacture’s habillage department in Geneva. Poli-Art, a specialist for extremely sophisticated polishing processes, has belonged to Patek Philippe since 2003. Its employees perform their work manually using free-hand techniques, without any mechanical holders or fixtures. Their jobs require exceptional talents and skills as well as many years of experience. SHG (Sertissage Haut de Gamme), majority-owned by Patek Philippe, is an expert in gemsetting for watches, bracelets, and jewelry in the high-price segments. The setters master all the arts of haute joaillerie, assuring that Patek Philippe treasures look perfect from any angle. Every year, the manufacture’s specialists set over 700,000 precious stones.
The building, complete with Minergie certification, has a surface area of 12,000 m2 which could be doubled should the need arise. On its four floors, it offers each company bright and spacious premises with panoramic views (photos: Louis Nardin, Worldtempus), but also technical areas, cloakrooms, around a hundred parking places, and a restaurant able to seat all of the site’s 150 employees.
With this project, Patek Philippe strengthens its presence in La Chaux-de-Fonds to be closer to specialist training establishments, promote watchmaking, perpetuate know-how, gain access to a specialist labour pool and contribute to the region’s economic development.
March 30, 2010
