The Swiss Association for Horological Research was created in 1985 and it brought together all the stakeholders who until that time had been working under the auspices of the Swiss Laboratory for Watchmaking Research (LSRH). This laboratory, created in 1939 by the umbrella organisations and the State of Neuchâtel had over almost half a century developed extensive competencies and conducted many research projects covering extremely wide scientific and technical areas ranging from materials and science and engineering, tribology, metallurgy, physics, electronics, chemistry, microtechnology and many more. In 1985 the LSRH transferred its infrastructures, its personnel and its patents to the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), a new company created by merging three laboratories until then dedicated to watchmaking and microtechnology research, namely the LSRH, the CEH (Centre for Electronic Horology) and the FSRM laboratory (Swiss Foundation for Research in Microtechnology). Back then there was a requirement to have just one body responsible for maintaining the impetus of joint watchmaking research. The ASRH is therefore the tangible expression of this desire in watchmaking circles to have one joint research body owned by them and whose activity is dedicated to reinforcing the reliability of horological products and controlling their means of production as well as consolidating the horological research base.

Drawing on this history today the ASRH acts as an implementer at the service of the watchmaking industry. It is a driving force encouraging its members to pose questions and exploit scientific progress on a collabortive way. Although it benefits from a long tradition and a rich heritage, thus ensuring the control of its craftsmanship and its products, the watchmaking industry is constantly integrating technical innovations into its products and production methods. Its craftsmanship evolves constantly and the ASRH offers a collaborative platform that contributes to this evolution.
Furthermore, the ASRH gives the watchmaking industry a voice in a wide range of institutions linked to research and innovation (FSRM, Micronarc, SIP, etc), and through its historic links which unites them along with the multiple contacts it has developed there.