In a compelling post, patrick_y brings to light the devastating impact of an extreme storm and suspected tornado that ripped through La Chaux-de-Fonds, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a vital hub for Swiss watchmaking. His report not only details the immediate damage to watch factories and infrastructure but also initiates a broader discussion on the potential long-term implications for the industry and the planet, urging readers to consider the changing climate patterns observed by local residents.
The world has seen a significant amount of extreme weather events. Sea water in Florida is now over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, record high heat waves throughout the world, and more. Picturesque Switzerland does on occasion get extreme weather events, tornados, landslides from significant rain, and more can affect the Central European country.
Unfortunately, the weather does not recognize Switzerland's political neutrality. And La Chaux de Fonds was pummeled by an extreme storm and some say a tornado. The tornado created extensive damage to La Chaux de Fonds including damaging many watchmaking factories, residences, and more. Unfortunately one individual was killed by the storm. Nearly two dozen more injured, some seriously.
The watchmaking cities of La Chaux de Fonds and Le Locle are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many famous brands have major operations here; not limited to Breguet, Ulysse Nardin, Girard Perregaux, and countless suppliers are in La Chaux de Fonds, Blancpain is two kilometers down the street in Le Locle.
La Chaux de Fonds is a part of the Canton of Neuchatel. The city of La Chaux de Fonds is about 30 minutes of a drive North of the city of Neuchatel, nearly at the border with France.
Here is a photo of the Sellita watch factory, partially destroyed. You will recall Sellita makes entire movements and supplies parts for the entire watch industry. Wind gusts of 200 kph or 130 mph and a tornado supposedly ripped apart this building and damaged many others. At least one residential structure had its roof entirely torn off.
Photo by Jules Berset
There will likely be a likely shortage of watches in the foreseeable future, as many of these factories are so damaged that they will need extensive refurbishment.
While damaging storms and tornados aren't unheard of in Switzerland (several occur per year, but some are in less populated areas), friends and industry acquaintances of mine have told me that this was definitely a stronger than usual storm. Many have also said that they have lived in the region for 20 to 30 years (Swiss people are known to dislike moving from one city and are known to stay in one community for generations) and they have noticed the weather changing significantly in the past few years. While none of these individuals are experts in meteorology, which makes their statement inadmissible in a court of law, it does seem that the planet is experiencing drastic climate change.
ALLOW ME TO GO ON A TANGENT
Whether or not you or I believe that drastic climate change is caused by human activity and pollution is debatable - but it is likely related. But the fact remains that there are more extreme weather calamities occurring more and more often and that there is a major fundamental shift in weather patterns. If these patterns continue and exacerbate, we will soon see more problems than a shortage of watch parts - a widespread shortage of food is even possible (extreme weather can lead to more frequent crop failures) which can lead to famine. If climate change really is partially caused by human pollution activity (which is a likely possibility according to many scientists) then many humans will be doomed - as pollution is likely to increase because much of the world population in developing countries are advancing tremendously and will soon be burning more fossil fuels, making more concrete and steel, etc. Indian airline IndiGo just made the world's largest order of airplanes at the Paris Airshow; 500 airplanes to be delivered in a short timespan. This means a population of hundreds of millions of people will soon be taking to the skies and increasing their carbon footprint. What does the future hold for the human race?
Leaving that tangent, and coming back to watches, the WatchProSite community wishes the best for the people of the Canton of Neuchatel in this tragic time.
