Manufacture

The Manufactures Horlogères de la Fondation (MHF). The centre of craftsmanship and industrial expertise.

Major challenges were undertaken by the Sandoz Family Foundation and the craftsmen who work every day to uphold Swiss expertise in the heart of the workshops of Foundation Watchmaking Manufactures (MHF). A strong and independent centre of craftsmanship and industrial expertise, it is now a decisive player in Swiss haute horlogerie.

• Atokalpa
Integrated since 2000 in the Watchmaking Centre (MHF). Alle. Canton of Jura.

Atokalpa, in Alle, Canton of Jura. DR

In December 2000, the Sandoz Family Foundation acquired the atokalpa company. With headquarters in Alle, in the Jura, the heart of the turning industry, atokalpa specialises in manufacturing train wheels, pinions and micro-gears which constitute the moving parts of the mechanical watch. Since 2005, atokalpa has also been producing all the constituent components of the escapement and the regulating organ, in all around fifteen parts, including: - the escapement wheel, the pallet fork, the plate, the balance and the balance spring.

• Elwin
Integrated since 2001 in the Watchmaking Centre (MHF). Belprahon | Moutier. Canton of Bern.

Elwin. DR

Elwin was set up by the third generation in a line of industrialists specialising, since 1912, in bar turning operations for watchmaking, mainly producing balance shafts. It has also received long-standing recognition for its skills in building CNC bar turning machines, and for developing IT programmes for use with these machines. A supplier of repute in precision bar turning, Elwin manufactures watch components created through micromechanics. New buildings opened in June 2010



• Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier
Founded in 2003. Integrated since 2003 in the Watchmaking Centre (MHF). Fleurier. Canton of Neuchâtel.

La manufacture Vaucher, in Fleurier. DR

Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier SA first opened its doors in January 2003. It marked the division of Parmigiani Mesure et Art du Temps (founded by Michel Parmigiani in 1990) into two sister companies: Parmigiani Fleurier brand and the manufacture. With headquarters in Fleurier, Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier specialises in the "High-end" and "Prestige" market segments and creates high quality movements in series production for Parmigiani and other Haute Horlogerie brands.

It brings together the business areas of Research & Development - CNC machining of plates, bridges and certain watch components - mechanics - pre-assembly, assembly, casing - training - plate and bridge decoration, including hand chamfering of all components - galvanoplasty. New building opened in September 2009 in Fleurier.

• Quadrance & Habillage
Founded in 2005. Integrated since 2005 in the Watchmaking Centre (MHF). Fleurier. Canton of Neuchâtel.

Quadrance et Habillage, in Fleurier. DR

In December 2005, Quadrance et Habillage was created in Fleurier and integrated in the industrial structure for the production of dials.

Machined using CNC machines at Quadrance, the base of the dial is then subjected to various surface treatments (guillochage, sandblasting, blueing, "crèmage", "veloutage", brushing), then coloured using lacquer or galvanoplasty. Finally, the artisan dial maker incorporates the indicator transfers and fits the applied markers. 

• Les Artisans Boîtiers (LAB)
Integrated since 2000 in the Watchmaking Centre (MHF). La Chaux-de-Fonds. Canton of Neuchâtel.

Les Artisans Boîtiers, in La Chaux-de-Fonds. DR

In May 2000, the Sandoz Family Foundation acquired one of the most renowned high-end case production workshops: Bruno Affolter SA, in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

With a process that uses 3D computerised construction (CAD) followed by CNC machining to produce the most complex cases, Bruno Affolter SA, now known as Les Artisans Boîtiers, combines artisan expertise acquired over many years with the most cutting-edge technology in the production process industry.

Whether one-off or production watches, in precious metal (18-carat gold, 950 platinum or 950 palladium), steel or titanium, Les Artisans Boîtiers' strength lies in its use of methods which are perfectly adapted to the complexity of the production process. New buildings opened in May 2010.

• Parmigiani Fleurier
Founded in 1996. Fleurier. Canton of Neuchâtel.

Parmigiani in Fleurier. DR

Thanks to the Sandoz Family Foundation watchmaking industrial centre, to which it has privileged access, in just a few years the Parmigiani Fleurier brand has acquired a level of credibility unique in the history of contemporary watchmaking. 20 collections and 15 calibres are at the heart of the brand's success. It is partly due to the fact that it has stayed true to its founding values, namely the restoration of works of watchmaking art and mastery of the mechanical grand complication, that the brand has managed to retain a rare authenticity in the eyes of the public.