From a Jura valley to the world's major capitals

The permanent exhibition at the Musée des Mascarons plunges you into the rich watchmaking past of the Val-de-Travers. The many objects on display bear witness to farming life before watchmaking, to the travels of watchmakers in the Val-de-Travers to France, England and China, and to the mechanisation of the watchmaking industry in the valley.

Find out why, from 1730 onwards, agriculture gradually gave way to the watchmaking industry. Learn about the "broken parts" production system that enabled watchmakers in the Vallon to build high-quality pocket watches sold throughout Europe. Understand the emergence of watch brands at the end of the 19th century and the crisis of the 1970s. Finally, take note of the existence of several companies based in the region that work in the field of fine watchmaking, are known beyond Switzerland's borders and are perpetuating an industrial vocation that dates back three centuries.