La chaux-de-fonds charles-edouard jeanneret was born in la chaux-de-fonds, in northwestern switzerland. la chaux-de-fonds, near the jura mountains, is the center of swiss watch production. his father is the heir to the local artisans, while his mother's family has been in the business for generations. in 1794, the chaux was sealed by fire and later rebuilt according to a strict grid plan. the rebuilt chaux-de-fonds was widely criticized for lacking the original urban charm, but it also inspired jeanneret's later views on the new urban landscape.