Thursday 5 July 2007, a burglary with aggression took place this morning at the Girard-Perregaux watch museum, in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Losses are not yet quantified but significant. The Cantonal Police and legal authorities have immediately taken charge of the inquiry.

This Thursday in the morning, two unidentified thieves entered the building, took hostage the Girard-Perregaux employee that was present and fled the scene with the booty.

The victim was not harmed but was transferred to the hospital and is under medical observation. The alarm was given by the Girard-Perregaux employee right after having managed to break free. The amount stolen is not yet known but is judged tobe “significant”. The inquiry is in full swing and it is, for the moment, inappropriate to divulge more detailed information.

Built at the beginning of the 20^th Century, the Villa Marguerite is home to the Museum of Girard-Perregaux since 1999. More than 100 historical and contemporary watches –a true historical perspective of watchmaking in general and of Girard- Perregaux in particular– were painstakingly collected and displayed in this prestigious showcase of the Brand.

This display of heritage and savoir-faire permitted visitors to admire complication pieces like the Tourbillon under three gold Bridges as well as delicately decorated jewellery pieces.