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For
watchmakers, Geneva proved an ideal home. Active since
the 15th century, the city's jewelers and goldsmith favored
the development of an industry which would make use of
their many talents and provide new outlets for them. In
addition, watchmaking required little by way of scarce
and costly raw materials but a great deal of skilled labor,
of which the city was amply provided. Like the silk industry,
watchmaking originated abroad but proofed perfectly suited
to the character of the city's population. It soon developed
into a thriving trade.
On
January 20th, 1601, the authorities of the city were
pleased to grant official recognition to the world's
first watchmaker's guild. Regulations were edicted to
preserve the ethical standards and privileges of this
highly respected craft., whose membership was growing
apace. Chronicler Gregorio Leti reports that in 1686,
nearly one hundred master watchmakers, assisted by some
three hundred journeymen, were established in Geneva.
Turning out about 5000 timepieces a year, the watch
trade had by then outstripped jewellery-making
in importance.
Selling
most of their output beyond the borders of the "Republic
of Geneva", watchmakers gradually turned to itinerant
merchants specialized in the watch trade. Initially
master watchmakers themselfs, these "etabliseurs", as
they were known, proved admirably knowledgeable and
convincing vendors of wares which they themselves knew
well and valued highly.
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