Inside the Engines of Swiss Watchmaking

Getting to the Heart of Watch Movements

This week, The Business of Watches dives into what truly makes a timepiece tick. Jean-Claude Eggen, the Chief Executive Officer of La Joux-Perret, joins the conversation to explain the economics and engineering behind mechanical and quartz movements. He also lays out how a modern Swiss movement maker competes, grows, and keeps brands coming back for more.

La Joux-Perret has become a rising force in movement supply. It serves mainstream brands, including TAG Heuer, and partners with creative microbrands such as Kollokium. Moreover, the company competes head-to-head with established rivals like Sellita. As Eggen notes, the real battleground lies in reliable quality, fair pricing, and the ability to deliver at scale while still innovating.

Because movements form the core of every watch, their design and production set the tone for performance and value. Therefore, a candid look inside a movement manufacturer offers an unusually clear view of the broader industry. Eggen does not mince words, and his insights show how strategy, technology, and craft converge in Switzerland today.

Scaling Up at La Joux-Perret

Under Eggen’s leadership since 2020, La Joux-Perret has expanded at a remarkable pace. Less than a decade ago, the firm produced under 10,000 movements a year. Today, it builds around 200,000 annually. Furthermore, the company has strengthened its client relationships by aligning product development with real market needs.

Price discipline, intelligent market development, and targeted technology investments drive that growth. In addition, Eggen highlights the human element: skilled teams, robust supplier networks, and tight feedback loops with customers. As a result, the company can adjust quickly, refine parts, and meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.

On the workshop floor in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a worker machines components with exacting care. That scene captures the formula: modern methods supporting Swiss know-how to produce consistent, serviceable, and accurate movements at scale.

Precision, Size, and the Next Wave

Looking ahead, Eggen outlines the company’s product roadmap across both mechanical and quartz. The goals are clear: greater precision, smaller footprints, and dependable performance. Consequently, brands can design slimmer watches without giving up reliability or serviceability.

Chronometric performance remains a visible benchmark for consumers. Therefore, improved accuracy and stability stand front and center in development. Meanwhile, energy efficiency and thoughtful architecture help extend service intervals and enhance daily wear. The aim is not novelty for its own sake, but purposeful innovation that watch brands, and their customers, can feel on the wrist.

These advances also support a wider range of price points. In turn, more models can offer the refinement and consistency usually reserved for higher tiers. For collectors and first-time buyers alike, that is welcome news.

Passing the Torch Through Tad Kozh

Before the deep dive with Eggen, the episode spotlights a new non-profit designed to safeguard rare watchmaking crafts. Baudouin van Es introduces Tad Kozh, a Switzerland-based initiative that equips young watchmakers with the skills and machines needed to master metiers d’art. Importantly, the program aims to keep specialized techniques alive by pairing mentorship with hands-on access.

Van Es has rallied an impressive council of artisans, craftspeople, and seasoned industry leaders to guide the effort. Moreover, the initiative plans collaborative projects that highlight traditional artistry in contemporary watches. He also explains the program’s distinctive name and how it reflects cultural heritage and a commitment to shared craft.

By blending training, tooling, and real-world projects, Tad Kozh strives to build a lasting bridge between generations. Consequently, the ecosystem that supports high-end watchmaking gains fresh energy and long-term resilience.