Portfolio - Special Edition Switzerland

22 Special Edition Switzerland Watchmaking These protestants fled persecution in Catholic France in the 16th century, and their arrival in Calvinist Geneva tripled the city’s population. Known as highly skilled craftsmen, they joined a city already known for its goldsmiths. However, under the conservative influence of Reformation leader John Calvin, jewellery was outlawed, so these talented refugees began creating timepieces instead, which Calvin accepted (perhaps he thought they would at least turn up on time to church). As a result, Geneva became known for La Fabrique, as the independent watchmaking workshops came to be collectively called. Craftsmen and women lived and worked in attic rooms in the Saint-Gervais area of the city, including philosopher Jean- Jacques Rousseau who was born into a watchmaking family and