It began in a small home in La Chaux-de-Fonds, where Jules Godat set up a small shoppe. Like many at that time, Godat spent the winters as a seasonal worker. However, he dreamed of opening his own watch workshop. In 1868, his dream became a reality, which gave birth to ZENO as it is known today.In the small workshop, Godat made silver pocket watches. After he left the company, the business transitioned more toward the manufacture of railway clocks and watches, which were in high demand at the time. André-Charles Eigeldinger took over Godat watch production in 1920. His specialty was the manufacture of observation watches for military purposes, slide rule watches and pocket watches in silver, gold and platinum. In 1922, Eigeldinger & Söhne registered the ZENO brand name. The name is homage to the Greek philosopher Zeno of Kition and means "gift of Zeus" or "god given."