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The Encyclopedia of Horology

School · Various, Switzerland

Lycée technique d'horlogerie (regional Swiss horology schools)

Swiss technical schools in Geneva, Le Locle and the Jura train watchmakers; programmes and names change over time, so verify current provision directly.

Overview

Lycée technique d'horlogerie (regional Swiss horology schools) is a school based in Switzerland. Swiss technical schools in Geneva, Le Locle and the Jura train watchmakers; programmes and names change over time, so verify current provision directly.

As a teaching institution, its contribution is the training of watchmakers and clockmakers — the people who keep historical mechanisms serviceable.

Training programmes of this kind typically combine bench skills (turning, filing, finishing, servicing) with theory of escapements, gearing and regulation.

Diagram

12345let downstripcleanoilregulateorder of work; never skip letting down the mainspring
Schematic: order of work at the bench. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Using it for research

  • School libraries and alumni records can help trace the training of a named individual maker.
  • Course content and entry requirements change over time; consult the institution for current programmes.

Before you visit

  • Schools are working environments; visits and open days should be arranged in advance.