meet our team
CÉDRIC SCHIESS
Director
DARIO AMSTUTZ
Deputy Director
Valeria Blattmann
Administration, Sales & Relationship Advisor
NINA LÜTHI
Sales & Relationship Advisor, Responsible Visual Merchandising
Bettina Winkelhausen
Sales & Relationship Advisor
NICK SCHIESS
Sales & Relationship Advisor
PHILOSOPHY
We are absolute devotees of the finer things in life and would like to share with you our enthusiasm for precious watches and jewellery. Our high quality standards are reflected not only in our premises, which we have renovated with great respect and natural, high-quality materials.
We see ourselves as your hosts. You can feel at home with us. Because you are most important to us! We want to offer you a place to pause and stay awhile. So that you can relax and share our passion.
THE HISTORY OF BIEL-BIENNE
Biel-Bienne is one of the most important cradles of Swiss watchmaking and our home town. We are happy to share the knowledge and history of the region with you. And we want to inspire you about Biel-Bienne. This is quite simply because we are passionate Bielers. And because the region has great potential in our eyes.
1220/1230
FOUNDATION
The remains of settlements have been found on the lake shore and have already been proven to be a settlement of the Bieler Seebucht in around 3800 BC. The city of Biel was founded between 1220 and 1230 by the Prince-Bishop of Basel.
1275
BIEL BECOMES A CITY
The current place name has been on record since the middle of the 12th century. The village in the Bernese Seeland can be regarded as the actual city from the 13th century onwards. The award of the Letter of Liberty in 1275 was decisive.
1844
BEGINNINGS AS A CLOCK TOWN
Biel came to the watch industry late and out of necessity. The decline of the Indian industry (textile printing process) plunged the local economy into a crisis. From 1844 onwards, tax incentives brought watchmakers to Biel.
1955
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Biel is transformed with the emergence of the watch industry. The medieval gem becomes a bilingual city, with watch studios, factories, industrial villas and tenement blocks, and chalks up well over 100 watch companies, watch manufacturers and suppliers.
1970
WATCH CRISIS
The almost complete displacement at the hands of new types of electronic quartz watches from Asia leads to a major economic crisis. It lasts from about 1970 to the mid-1980s. Many companies go bankrupt, and the number of employees falls massively.
2002
POTENTIAL
The 2002 expomarks the start of an economic upturn, with a variety of (watch) companies settling and expanding. As passionate Bielers, we believe in our local site and are proud to carry on the long watch heritage with Art du Temps.
1220/1230
FOUNDATION
The remains of settlements have been found on the lake shore and have already been proven to be a settlement of the Bieler Seebucht in around 3800 BC. The city of Biel was founded between 1220 and 1230 by the Prince-Bishop of Basel.
1275
BIEL BECOMES A CITY
The current place name has been on record since the middle of the 12th century. The village in the Bernese Seeland can be regarded as the actual city from the 13th century onwards. The award of the Letter of Liberty in 1275 was decisive.
1844
BEGINNINGS AS A CLOCK TOWN
Biel came to the watch industry late and out of necessity. The decline of the Indian industry (textile printing process) plunged the local economy into a crisis. From 1844 onwards, tax incentives brought watchmakers to Biel.
1955
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Biel is transformed with the emergence of the watch industry. The medieval gem becomes a bilingual city, with watch workshops, factories, industrial villas and tenement blocks, and chalks up well over 100 watch companies, watch manufacturers and suppliers.
1970
WATCH CRISIS
The almost complete displacement at the hands of new types of electronic quartz watches from Asia leads to a major economic crisis. It lasts from about 1970 to the mid-1980s. Many companies go bankrupt, and the number of employees falls massively.
2002
POTENTIAL
The National Exhibition Expo .02 marks the start of an economic upturn, with a variety of (watch) companies settling and expanding. As passionate Bielers, we believe in our home town and are proud to carry on the long watch heritage with Art du Temps.
FROM THE WORLD OF ART DU TEMPS
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AND EXPLORE
Historic on the outside and state-of-the-art on the inside. Gently renovated using natural materials and local craftsmen, and with high professional competence.
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