At a glance
- Period
- 18th–19th century
- Place
- Switzerland 2
The watchmaking story
Useful places to start with Jacques-Frédéric Houriet's work include Spherical balance springs and non-magnetic chronometer experiment. 2
Swiss chronometry provides historical context for this work rather than a brand relationship. 123
Le Locle workshop is the name recorded for Jacques-Frédéric Houriet's own watchmaking practice. 123
Scope: Direct watchmaking
Why this person is included
Documented original contribution
Background and working context
Affiliations and workshops: Swiss chronometry; Le Locle workshop 1
Geographic ties: Switzerland; France. Documented principal work / project location; not a citizenship assertion 1
Brands, workshops, and other relationships
- Context / no named watch brand · Inherited source-linked record; relationship classification reviewed, sources not reopened
Swiss chronometry — Context / not a brand relationship. Chronometer maker / researcher 123
Legacy affiliation: Swiss chronometry; Le Locle workshop. Person-level contribution: Investigated isochronism using spherical balance springs and constructed a chronometer minimizing steel components.
Original affiliation wording: Swiss chronometry; Le Locle workshop. No present-day employment or ownership inferred.
- Watchmaking workshop / practice · Inherited source-linked record; relationship classification reviewed, sources not reopened
Le Locle workshop — Own watchmaking practice. Chronometer maker / researcher 123
Legacy affiliation: Swiss chronometry; Le Locle workshop. Person-level contribution: Investigated isochronism using spherical balance springs and constructed a chronometer minimizing steel components.
Original affiliation wording: Swiss chronometry; Le Locle workshop. No present-day employment or ownership inferred.
Evidence and limitations
This dossier connects 8 field-specific evidence records with 3 public sources. Known links only; full career not established
Claim qualifications (8)
- Noteworthy contribution: Institutional summary supports life years and chronometric work. Training relationships and Le Locle workshop are separately supported by the Jürgensen exhibition study. 2
- Representative work: Institutional summary supports life years and chronometric work. Training relationships and Le Locle workshop are separately supported by the Jürgensen exhibition study. 2
- Specific role: Institutional summary supports life years and chronometric work. Training relationships and Le Locle workshop are separately supported by the Jürgensen exhibition study. 2
- Primary geography: Institutional summary supports life years and chronometric work. Training relationships and Le Locle workshop are separately supported by the Jürgensen exhibition study. 2
- Birth year: Institutional summary supports life years and chronometric work. Training relationships and Le Locle workshop are separately supported by the Jürgensen exhibition study. Post-consolidation gap-resolution pass: historical value snapshot differs from the current People value; retain as audit history. 2
- Death year: Institutional summary supports life years and chronometric work. Training relationships and Le Locle workshop are separately supported by the Jürgensen exhibition study. Post-consolidation gap-resolution pass: historical value snapshot differs from the current People value; retain as audit history. 2
- Affiliations / workshops: Exhibition author is a former Urban Jürgensen owner; not an independent full Houriet biography. 1
- Geographic ties: Exhibition author is a former Urban Jürgensen owner; not an independent full Houriet biography. 1
Sources
- Celebrating 250 Years of Urban Jürgensen: A Video SeriesDr Helmut Crott; edited by Logan Baker · Phillips · Object study / firsthand specialist account · 2023-10-17
[S0179] Dr Helmut Crott; edited by Logan Baker. Phillips. "Celebrating 250 Years of Urban Jürgensen: A Video Series." 2023-10-17. https://www.phillips.com/article/133185390/urban-jurgensen-history-helmut-crott-exhibition-2023 Accessed 2026-09-13.
Source context
Relationship to subject: Author is collector and former company owner; publisher hosted exhibition
How it was checked: Page opened; relevant text read
Limitation: Written catalogue text read, not videos. Author has commercial/personal connection; avoid sweeping priority rankings and exact output estimates.
- Watchmakers' and Inventors' Hall of Fame: Jacques-Frédéric HourietFederation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH · Professional institution / reference · Not stated
[S0197] Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH. "Watchmakers' and Inventors' Hall of Fame: Jacques-Frédéric Houriet." Not stated. https://www.fhs.swiss/eng/houriet_jacques_frederic.html Accessed 2026-09-13.
Source context
Relationship to subject: Industry federation historical recognition
How it was checked: Page opened; relevant text read
Limitation: Concise institutional entry. Describes spherical balance springs; no universal sole-inventor claim beyond the cited scope.
- https://www.phillips.com/article/133185390/urban-jurgensen-history-helmut-crott-exhibition-2023 https://www.fhs.swiss/eng/houriet_jacques_frederic.htmllinked source
Corrections and stronger evidence
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