During the “Belle epoque” era (1895-1914), by 1900 Art Nouveau was all the rage. The movement translated a specific taste in art and, although the more refined examples of it were restricted to persons of certain means, it rapidly became an international fashion. What was known as the “whiplash” line enjoyed the greatest popularity.This then was the form of Art Nouveau imported by La Chaux-de-Fonds in the early 20th century, as promoted by the watch-making factory owners and their sales representatives. Certainly Art Nouveau, greatly in fashion in all the capitals of Europe, deserved a place of honour in the watch-making metropolis! And so the buildings of the day soon boasted stained-glass windows, tiles, stairwell decorations, stuccoworks, woodworks and ironworks.
