Georges Frederic Roskopf (15 March 1813 – 14 April 1889), the inventor of the pin-pallet escapement, was born in Germany and became a naturalized Swiss citizen.

In 1829, when Roskopf was 16, he went to La Chaux-de-Fonds and began training in commerce with F. Mairet & Sandoz, who dealt in ironmongery and watch parts.

In 1851 Roskopf became the joint manager of the La Chaux-de-Fonds branch of B. J. Guttman Frères of Wurzburg.

Roskopf was an idealist who dreamed of making a good quality, cheap watch for working men.

The watch had a large barrel in the centre, a "Perron" pin-pallet escapement, and a monometallic balance.

After discussions with Moritz J. Grossman he adopted the simple detached pin lever escapement.

Listing of the features for the new calibre: Roskopf met indifference and hostility among the watchmakers of the area who were still working as a home industry and who did not wish to make a watch such as he was offering.

In 1870 Georges Roskopf introduced a second design with a setting mechanism; this watch cost 25 francs.

In it he reduced the number of parts, simplified the escapement fitting, and introduced an improved winding.