Do you love watchmaking and want to learn more about its history and heritage? So, there are several choices open to you: first of all, read some fine books, and there are many in this field, or else you can discover antique watchmaking with your own amazed eyes directly in the museums…
Let’s take a look at some not-to-be-missed museums.
Patek Philippe Museum
Located in the heart of Geneva, the Patek Philippe Museum is housed in a former industrial building dedicated to the watchmaker, a perfect setting for displaying the company’s superb collections. As we step inside, we are immediately amazed by the luxury of the premises and the beautiful furnishings that have been created.
In all, the Patek Philippe Museum offers 4 different stages, one on each floor. The first will introduce us to the history of the venerable factory, with a library as a bonus. In the second stage, we take a look at the history of watchmaking from the 16th to the 19th centuries, with some remarkable pieces including automata. The third stage takes us through the Patek Philippe collection, culminating in the Calibre 89, a magnificent timepiece of rare complication. The last stage, on the first floor, allows us to discover real watchmakers’ workshops.
If you’re visiting Geneva and love watchmaking, this museum is a must-see. Here you can discover some 2,000 pieces, some of them exceptional. Find out more in this article.
MUSÉE DU TEMPS DE BESANÇON
In France, too, you can see magnificent collections dedicated to the measurement of time. For this, you’ll need to travel to Besançon, the capital of French watchmaking. In the city of Bisont, you’ll need to visit the Musée du Temps to discover the history of watchmaking from the 16th century to the present day.
A visit to this museum is an opportunity to discover exceptional timepieces such as the Leroy 01, “the most complicated watch in the world”. You can then discover the great changes that took place around the middle of the 20th century, with the emergence of Quartz and atomic electronics. Part of the museum is also dedicated to micro and nanotechnology, and another to Foucault’s pendulum.
More information at http://www.mdt.besancon.fr/
Musée International d’horlogerie La Chaux-de-Fond
In the heart of Swiss watchmaking, in La Chaux de Fond, you’ll find the Musée International d’Horlogerie. Created in 1974, it is by far the most important collection dedicated to the measurement of time, and therefore to watchmaking.
Comprising several thousand pieces, this fabulous collection features watches and clocks from the 16th century to the present day, as well as tools, accessories, workshops, paintings and engravings that help us better understand the history of Swiss and international watchmaking. Among the exceptional pieces you’ll be able to discover: Astrarium by Giovanni Dondi, superb watches and clocks by Ferdinand Berthoud, Breguet and Le Roy, and automata by the famous Pierre Jaquet-Droz.
More information at http://www.chaux-de-fonds.ch/musees/mih
Omega Museum
If you love this brand, then the Omega Museum in Bienne (Biel) is not to be missed. This is a unique opportunity to discover the immense heritage of this iconic Swiss watchmaking brand.
In total, the Omega Museum offers 4,000 exhibits retracing the company’s 160-year history. There are several collections to choose from: the brand’s first 100 years, the pioneering spirit, watches for the conquest of space, sports timekeeping and a retrospective of the company’s greatest ranges: Speedmaster, Seamaster and Constellation.
If you’re not lucky enough to be in Switzerland, you can visit the museum ‘s dedicated website from the comfort of your own home. Not bad, no!
Of course, there are many other watchmaking museums in Switzerland and the rest of the world, but the ones presented here are considered to be among the finest in the world…
