In 1961, Zurich-based Desco von Schulthess AG acquired an assembly facility in Saignelégier, a town in the Canton of Jura, where it produced private label watches for the national and international market. In 1975, the company introduced its first watch under the name of Maurice Lacroix. In the fall of 2001, Maurice Lacroix S.A., previously a division of Desco von Schulthess AG, became an independent company. Today, Maurice Lacroix is one of the most successful Swiss watch brands, both nationally and internationally, and is represented in 45 countries all over the world. The company is one of the few independent Swiss watch manufacturers. Over the years, Maurice Lacroix has made significant investments continuously to keep the technology up-to-date. The assembly facility - together with the training and information centre opened in 2001 and the extension completed in January 2002 - is currently one of the most modern in the industry.