3,000 references and 30 years’ service to watchmaking

Once upon a time… Like many stories, the tale of Les Editions Simonin begins with this well-known phrase. Once upon a time (in our particular story) there was a book called «Complicated Watches» that was much needed by the students of Antoine Simonin, then a teacher at WOSTEP, for their studies. Unfortunately at that time the publication was available only from antiquarian booksellers at an exorbitant price. However this did not deter Antoine Simonin, who spared no effort on his students’ behalf. For three years he moved heaven and earth to acquire publication and distribution rights to the book, republish it, and sell it at a price students could afford. The first print run of a thousand copies quickly sold out. Today the book is available in French, English, and for the first time in German.

With this first success under his belt, Antoine Simonin decided to make available for his students other publications essential for their studies. At the same time, collectors searching for «impossible to find» books on horology turned to him in ever greater numbers to track down rare and out-of-print works. Browsing in specialist bookshops became his favourite pastime, both in Switzerland and abroad. As the number of purchases grew, space to accommodate his growing business became an urgent necessity. WOSTEP placed at his disposal a small room measuring just six square metres… Les Editions Simonin was born.

As the years went by, Antoine Simonin, a regular traveller abroad, unearthed new references to swell the catalogue of available works. In 1996, frustrated by his cramped quarters, he took possession of larger premises, still with WOSTEP. In 2004 (by which time the firm boasted around 1,200 titles) Les Editions Simonin took the innovative step of launching an online catalogue. This new working method made it easier to respond to orders, and allowed available references to be updated simply and consistently.

Today, enthusiasts of historical and contemporary watchmaking can find everything - or virtually everything - they desire in Dombresson, where Antoine Simonin moved his business in 2014. The catalogue on his website contains around 3,000 references in French, English, German, Italian and Spanish, ranging from classic works by Alfred Chapuis, Ferdinand Berthoud, Roland Carrera, Bernard Humbert and Jean-Claude Nicolet, to text books used by schools of watchmaking (Timing of Watches with Sprung Balance, The Chronograph, Modern Calendar Watches) and indeed all Chronométrophilia editions, to mention only a few examples. On the shelves of this unusual bookshop one can also find old measuring tools, ship’s chronometers, old technical drawings and posters, etc. In short, the Val-de-Ruz cubby-hole which in former times was a hardware shop is bursting at the seams with horological treasures, foremost among the latter being its proprietor, Antoine Simonin, a veritable living history book who never runs dry of tales or anecdotes about his long career in watchmaking… he knows everything, understands everything, and is fascinating to listen to!

After reprinting «Complicated Watches», today in its fifth edition, Antoine Simonin turned his attention to other publications. To date, around thirty works have appeared through his good offices. They include well-known references, such as works by Bernard Humbert, four volumes by Daniel Aubert on the history of Joux Valley watchmaking, books devoted to the chronometer-maker Paul Ditisheim and Frédéric Houriet, and The Ten Watchmaking Schools of Switzerland.

Antoine Simonin also provides a service to brands, on whose behalf he organises and arranges horological libraries for the museums which can often be found in manufactures. Works may focus on the name of the firm or a particular horological theme. He is also sought out by private individuals for similar initiatives, particularly watch enthusiasts keen to expand their personal libraries. Another trait of this master of written horology is his specialist knowledge in valuing old books. For example he is regularly asked to estimate the worth of bequeathed collections when the family is at a loss as to how to assess this type of inheritance.

Last year, Les Editions Simonin celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. To commemorate the event and leave a lasting tribute, a new version of «Complicated Watches» was published containing original plates by the work’s author François Lecoultre.

Aged 77, with more than fifty years’ experience in the field, Antoine Simonin continues to make watchmaking’s written word his main priority. This Christmas he will publish his 32nd book: «The Swiss Pocket Watch in the Watchmaking Valleys», by Réal Bossé.

Antoine Simonin

Born in 1938, Antoine Simonin studied at the cantonal technical college in Bienne. His career in watchmaking began in after-sales and took off with the creation of training centres. From 1976 to 2003 he ran WOSTEP, the institute dispensing training and continuing education to watchmakers worldwide. From 1976 until his departure, he was responsible for more than twenty different technical and historical courses. He has also organised courses and lectured in Switzerland and abroad, an activity he carries on sporadically on specialist subjects accessible to the public.

The winner of the Gaïa Award in 1995, he is also a member of the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. He was for many years the president and editor of Chronométrophilia, the Swiss association which brings together watchmaking enthusiasts and collectors. He also chairs the Fleurier Quality Hallmark technical committee. He has collaborated for a number of years with the International Museum of Horology in La Chaux-de-Fonds and more recently has actively supported the conservation of Neuchâtel Observatory. He works tirelessly not only to promote the culture and professions of horology, but also to ensure that this knowledge is passed on to future generations.

October 29, 2015