News Acquired in 2007 by the Richemont group, Donzé-Baume opened its new premises on 17 October this year in Les Breuleux, just 800 metres from its historic building. Specialising in the manufacture of watch cases (development, production and assembly of cases), Donzé-Baume works mainly for the group’s brands, for which it supplies superior quality products. Named Pré-Bois – meaning wooded pastureland – this new building with a floor space of 7,500 m2 houses hi-tech equipment and conforms to Minergie standards. In addition, everything possible has been done to protect deliveries and movements of basic materials such as gold and diamonds, as well as finished timepieces. During the guided tour, site manager Didier Schermesser explained how work has been totally reorganised to achieve maximum optimisation of production flows.
Founded in 1868, Donzé-Baume has been home to four generations of watchmakers. At present, 370 people work in Les Breuleux and around thirty in Les Brenets. Between now and next spring, the latter will be repatriated in order to centralise all operations. The new Pré-Bois building still has large empty spaces able to accommodate any future requirements that brands may have. Today the firm produces around 200,000 watch cases, but is capable of doubling its capacity.
November 13, 2012
