In 1777 in the Pays de Montbéliard, thanks to Frédéric Japy, the world’s first major watchmaking industry was born.
Later, several factories were built in the region, following the example of this renowned predecessor.
Among these was the watchmaking factory L’Épée, which, from 1839, began to produce movements, escapement carriages and then complete clocks. Music boxes too, which are now to be found in the world’s finest collections, in museums and private homes.