Some watches tell the story of a place. With its new Tour des Chavannes editions, Elka Watch Co. brings the history of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, to contemporary watchmaking through two timepieces inspired by a medieval tower and its role in the city’s public life.
Introduced in October 2026, the collection comprises two models in the Elka R series: the “1736” Edition (R01wo) and the “Pierre d’Hauterive” Edition (R02wo). Each draws on a different element of the city’s heritage, from the black-and-gold dial of a historic public clock to the warm tones of local architectural stone.
The Story Behind the Tour des Chavannes
The Tour des Chavannes was built in 1285 to close the upper end of Rue des Chavannes and protect the northwestern flank of Neuchâtel’s medieval fortifications. Over the centuries, the tower became more than a defensive structure. It housed a civil disciplinary prison known as the javiole from 1531 and eventually played an important role in communicating the time to the city’s inhabitants.
A clock mechanism was installed in 1679. In 1736, a new dial introduced a distinctive combination of gold numerals against a black background, painted by heraldist and sign painter Samuel Müller.
The tower’s role in public timekeeping took another significant turn in 1805, when Neuchâtel decided to distribute mean time through its public clocks rather than rely solely on local solar time. This approach helped synchronise everyday civil and social activities.
The tower was demolished in 1867, but its place in Neuchâtel’s history remains central to Elka Watch Co.’s latest collection.
Two Editions, Two Interpretations of Local Heritage
Rather than reproducing a historical clock outright, Elka Watch Co. translates two distinct aspects of the past into contemporary watch design.
1. The “1736” Edition: Memory of Time
The Elka R01wo takes its visual inspiration from the monumental clock dial painted by Samuel Müller in 1736.
Its black dial and gold details recall the original clock’s striking colour scheme, creating a direct visual connection to the period when the Tour des Chavannes helped organise daily life in Neuchâtel.
The design is a tribute to the city’s public timekeeping heritage and to the importance of monumental clocks before personal timepieces became commonplace.
2. The “Pierre d’Hauterive” Edition: Tribute to Light
The Elka R02wo follows a different path, drawing inspiration from Neuchâtel’s architecture and the region’s stonework.
Its sand-coloured dial evokes the yellow limestone associated with the Hauterive quarry. According to Elka Watch Co.’s brochure, this stone was used in Roman-era Aventicum and later in the construction of the building adjacent to the former tower in 1899.
Black inscriptions provide contrast and recall the Chinese ink strokes used by 19th-century engineers.
Together, the two editions offer contrasting interpretations of the same location: one rooted in the visual language of historic timekeeping, the other in the materials and architectural character of the city.
A Shared Signature With Historical Roots
Both watches feature the inscription “TOUR DES CHAVANNES” at the six o’clock position on the dial.
Its lettering reproduces the hand-drawn typography found on engineer Henri Ladame’s original plans dated July 29, 1867, the year the tower was demolished.
This detail connects the contemporary watches to a surviving historical document, giving the collection a specific reference point rather than relying on a general vintage aesthetic.
Contemporary Specifications and Swiss Watchmaking
The Tour des Chavannes editions combine their historical inspiration with the technical features of Elka Watch Co.’s R series.
Key specifications include:
- Case diameter: 40.8 mm
- Case thickness: 10.80 mm
- Lug-to-lug distance: 46.50 mm
- Movement: G101 by La Joux-Perret
- Power reserve: 68 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Operating frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
- Crystal: Chevé-Box sapphire crystal
- Dial and hands: Curved design
Manufactured by La Joux-Perret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the G101 movement provides the mechanical foundation for both models.
The Chevé-Box sapphire crystal is designed to evoke the profile of vintage Hésalite crystals while retaining the durability associated with synthetic sapphire. The curved dial and hands further contribute to the collection’s distinctive design language.
Elka Watch Co. and the Return to Rue des Chavannes
The collection also reflects Elka Watch Co.’s decision to establish a permanent physical presence in Neuchâtel.
The brand opened its boutique at 16 Rue des Chavannes on December 15, 2025. The address was chosen for its historical associations and its connection to the city’s tradition of craftsmanship.
The company’s October 2026 brochure describes the boutique as more than a retail space. It is intended as a meeting place for watch enthusiasts, people interested in local history, and visitors drawn to design and artisanal work. The space also hosts artists, photographers, painters, and craftspeople whose work shares the brand’s emphasis on workmanship.
The location creates a tangible link between the former tower, the historic street, and the watches now bearing the Tour des Chavannes name.
A Heritage Reinterpreted Through Watch Design
The Elka Watch Co. Tour des Chavannes collection brings together two stories from Neuchâtel’s past. The “1736” Edition recalls the historic public clock and its black-and-gold dial, while the “Pierre d’Hauterive” Edition draws on the region’s architectural materials and visual identity.
Both models share the same mechanical platform and the historical inscription that links them to Henri Ladame’s 1867 plans.
For Elka Watch Co., the collection is also a way to connect contemporary Swiss watchmaking with the history of the address where the brand has established its boutique.
The Tour des Chavannes may no longer stand, but its legacy survives in the history of the city, its approach to public timekeeping, and two modern watches designed to reinterpret that past.
Discover Elka Watch Co.
Website: www.elkawatch.ch
Boutique: 16 Rue des Chavannes, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Email: info@elkawatch.com
Telephone: +41 79 500 91 13
