Manufacturing of time locks, platform escapements, watch movements and timer mechanisms in La Chaux-de-Fonds
STB Microtechniques SA
La Chaux-de-Fonds (CH)New on Amplifa
About STB Microtechniques
STB Microtechniques SA is a Swiss manufacturer of horological and security technology components based in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The company was created in 2023 from the merger of Porte-Echappements SA and STB Microtechniques SA, which had belonged to the same owner since 2010; the acquisition by SGB Holding at the end of 2022 triggered the consolidation. STB manufactures mechanical and electronic time locks (timelocks) including its own service, platform escapements from industrial to luxury quality, mechanical and electronic watch movements, timer mechanisms, vibration recorders, pressure gauges and wheels (wheels manufacturing). The company also offers private-label time locks and legacy movements for continuity. Its roots go back to 1931 (Porte-Echappements) and 1938 (Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Saint Blaise) respectively; in 1946 Yale commissioned the factory to produce movements for time locks. STB is committed to the Swiss-made approach and works with local partners and suppliers in Switzerland.
- Site
- La Chaux-de-Fonds
- Processes
- Assembly of watch movements (movements assembly), Manufacture of platform escapements (industrial to luxury), Manufacture and service of timelocks (mechanical and electronic), Electronic watch movements (electronic movements), Vibration recorders, Timer mechanisms, Pressure gauges, Wheel manufacturing (wheels manufacturing)
- Materials
- Platform Escapements, Mechanical Time Locks (3 Movements), Electronic Time Locks (2 and 3 Movements), Mechanical and Electronic Watch Movements, Timer Mechanisms, Vibration Recorders, Pressure Gauges
- Certificates
- Swiss Made
- Founded
- 1938 (Fabr
- Industries
- Security technology (time locks), Horology / watch industry, Microtechnology
- 01
Engineering and development (watch movements, time locks)
- 02
Wheel manufacturing (wheels manufacturing)
- 03
Microtechnology manufacturing
- 04
Assembly of watch movements and escapements
- 05
Service and maintenance of time locks
Manufacturing and Processes
Platform Escapements
Industrial and luxury platform balance assemblies, manufactured since 1931.
Mechanical Time Locks (3 Movements)
Mechanical timelock movements for security applications, including service since 1993.
Electronic Time Locks (2 and 3 Movements)
Electronic timelock movements based on the electronic movement that has been 100% compatible since 1993.
Mechanical and Electronic Watch Movements
Standard, timer and legacy movements from in-house production.
Timer Mechanisms
Time mechanisms for demanding applications.
Vibration Recorders
Vibration recorders in the Zenith tradition.
Pressure Gauges
Pressure measurement devices (pressure gauges) as part of the product range.
Location
La Chaux-de-Fonds
CHHeadquarters and production
- Materials
- Watch movements, time locks, platform escapements, timer mechanisms
- Assembly of watch movements (movements assembly)
- Platform escapement manufacturing
- Timelock manufacturing and service
- Wheel manufacturing (wheels manufacturing)
- Microtechnology manufacturing
Products and Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly of watch movements (movements assembly)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of platform escapements (industrial to luxury)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture and service of timelocks (mechanical and electronic)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Electronic watch movements (electronic movements)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Vibration recordersAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Timer mechanismsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Pressure gaugesAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Wheel manufacturing (wheels manufacturing)Machining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Microtechnology manufacturingEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
STB manufactures in La Chaux-de-Fonds entirely according to the Swiss-made principle with local partners and suppliers; production includes its own timelock cases and legacy movements for continuity.
| Evidence | La Chaux-de-Fonds |
|---|---|
| Swiss Made |
History
- 1931
Foundation of Porte-Echappement Universel SA (later Portescap).
- 1938
Foundation of Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Saint Blaise (watch and pendulum manufacturing).
- 1946
Yale commissions Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Saint Blaise to manufacture movements for time locks.
- 1989
Acquisition of the department by ARSAPE, founded by two former Portescap employees.
- 1993
Renaming to STB Microtechniques SA; first manufacturer of an electronic movement 100% compatible with time locks; development of its own timelock cases.
- 2004
Separation of micromotors/balance platforms; sale of the activity to Marie Heinkel, foundation of Porte-Echappements SA.
- 2010
Acquisition of STB Microtechniques SA by Porte-Echappements SA; start of synergies.
- 2019
Relocation to La Chaux-de-Fonds.
- 2021
Owners seek succession to secure the know-how.
- 2022
Grégoire Guye-Bergeret takes over management.
- 2022
Acquisition by SGB Holding; merger of the two companies into STB Microtechniques SA.