UCS marks its fifth anniversary with a chronograph

True to a philosophy that seeks not only to provide jobs for people struggling to get back on their feet, but also to produce affordably priced watches, UCS takes its first steps into the world of the chronograph. Aluminium is still the first choice for the case. For the colour, too, or rather the range of colours. The latest UCS watch is certainly a chronograph, but retains an abundance of family genes. Simplicity, style and unrestricted personalisation are all features which over the past five years have lost none of their appeal. Beneath the dial, which incidentally is also made according to a special in-house technique, the watch is powered by an ETA G10.212 AP mo-
vement, with date at 4 o’clock, small-seconds at 6 o’clock and a 30-minute counter. So much for the anniversary candle… Let’s take up the story from the beginning.

The project owes its inception to businessman, industrialist and man of many parts Jean-Jacques Merlet, from Tavannes in the Jura mountains. «When I turned fifty, I wanted to change direction and do something else with my life». An end to running companies, sales targets, trade fairs and business trips far and wide. «By chance I happened to visit a company and an idea came to me». With Alfonso Osuna, a longstanding accomplice and collaborator, Jean-Jacques Merlet decided to buy the firm he had just discovered. Located «on the outskirts» of Montfaucon, the company was then called Dressa. Today it is called Norkom, after an entity that has belonged to the Merlet-Osuna fold for some years. Initially a training activity was introduced, followed by a production department, and finally, in 2006, the two sectors of Norkom were grouped together under the banner of MO Holding.

In fact, the firm’s employees consist largely of people looking to get their careers back on track in the fields of mechanics or micromechanics, watch industry subcontracting and polishing. «We work closely with vocational colleges awarding the federal certificate of capacity», adds Jean-Jacques Merlet. When the structure came under pressure from market fluctuations, the businessman had the idea of setting up his own watch brand to safeguard jobs at Norkom… UCS was born.

«The idea was that our watches should be original, stylish, plastic-free and affordable». The first prototypes were presented in November 2010, with the firm intention of taking things further and ensuring own-brand production. «By making most of the components in-house, we rediscovered all the expertise our employees could offer».In April 2011, the first UCS timepieces left the workshops. Initially, the UCS boutique was only accessible online (www.ucsshop.com).

Today, while orders can still be placed on the website, a number of distributors have taken an interest in these somewhat unusual watches. But here too, links with the past remain intact. The UCS website, or shop, allows anyone to configure their watch according to personal taste. They can choose the shape and colour not only of the case, but also of the dial and hands, as well as the silicone bracelet… The process can also include the insertion of a logo, a name, a first name or a message, either on the dial or on the caseback.

With or without the Web, UCS is growing and sales are on the up. «It means we can increase production and open our doors to more staff», says a delighted Jean-Jacques Merlet, who at the same time reminds us of Norkom’s original role: «We provide more than 14,000 training days each year in the professions of horology and mechanics».

June 02, 2016