La Chaux-de-Fonds

a city in western Switzerland, in Neuchâtel Canton, in the valley of the Jura Mountains (at an altitude of 994 m). Population, 42,300 (1970); railroad junction. Since the 18th century the city has been the center of watchmaking; it has technical schools to train watchmakers. La Chaux-de-Fonds is the site of a conservatory. There is also tourist industry.