Histoire
History
More than a century of expertise
The history of Horia began in Tramelan, in the heart of the Bernese Jura, Switzerland, at the end of the 19th century.
It was at this time that the Houriet family founded a mechanical company, which quickly dedicated itself to the manufacture of precision tools for watchmaking. From the 1890s onwards, the Houriet workshops stood out for their commitment to quality and their technical ingenuity. Several patents were filed before the 1930s, notably for jewelling tools, which would later become essential in watchmaking workshops.
The creation of Horia S.A.
In 1989, Jean-Claude Beuchat and Philippe Maître decided to take over the Houriet company in Tramelan, then managed by Roland Houriet, who wished to pass on his expertise before retiring.
The founders spent several months at his side in order to learn and master the manufacture of watchmaking tools.
A few months later, the young company moved to Courfaivre, into larger premises, marking the beginning of its development.
Development and acquisitions
In the early 1990s, Horia S.A. expanded its expertise by taking over part of the company Jean Walliser & Fils in Biel/Bienne, specialised in tools for watchmaking and jewellery, and then by acquiring the Le Coq Steiner brand, renowned for its « jacot tools » and watchmakers’ lathes.
During these years, Jean-Claude Beuchat and Philippe Maître spent many months learning from their predecessors, thereby strengthening their expertise in the design and production of high-precision tools.
Move to Courtételle
In 1998, faced with sustained growth, Horia S.A. left Courfaivre and moved to Courtételle, into a former coachbuilding workshop that had been completely transformed into a modern industrial site.
First extension
A few years after moving to Courtételle, the company undertook its first extension, doubling the floor area of its premises and enabling the integration of new production technologies.
Development and Consolidation
Over the following years, Horia S.A. continued to develop its catalogue and gradually strengthened its presence among watch manufactures and workshops in Switzerland and abroad.
The company continued to invest in the modernisation of its machine park and in the optimisation of its manufacturing processes, while maintaining a strong foundation in traditional mechanical expertise.
Family continuity
In 2018, Philippe Maître acquired all of his associate’s shares. Alongside his son, Yoann Maître, he continued the development of the company.
Second extension
In 2024, a second extension once again doubled the floor area of the Courtételle site, supporting the company’s continued development and enabling the integration of new production, inspection and development equipment, in line with the current requirements for precision and performance in the watchmaking industry.
