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 Switzerland is very strongly identified with the watchmaking industry, otherwise known as horology. Clustered around
Geneva and the Jura Mountains regions, the modern Swiss watch industry
makes probably the most comprehensive range of watches of any country in
the world. Products range from simple sealed-in Swatches to the
complicated movements of Franck Muller. Appearances can range from the
austere stainless steel of Rolex diver’s watches to the dainty jeweled
face of Patek Phillippe watches.
A legacy of watch-making in Geneva
Geneva grew to be the main watchmaking region in Switzerland. Tradition
has it that this came about because the religious leader Calvin preached
that his followers should lead an austere lifestyle, and had to do
without jewellery. Faced with a crisis, the jewelers adapted by becoming
watchmakers. Watches were initially made as a cottage industry, in small
farmhouse workshops.
The watch legacy can be felt in Geneva, with its famous flower clock in
the English Garden. Set up in 1955, this is one of the most visible
reminders of the Swiss watch industry in town. There are numerous
museums in Geneva itself dedicated to watchmaking. The main Museum of
the Watch and Clock Industry is currently closed due to damage from a
burglary in November 2002.
The Patek Phillippe Museum is housed in a building which has housed
companies related to watchmaking in the past. Built in 1919, it was
previously home to gemcutters and jewelers, before settling as a home to
a supplier of watch cases and bracelets which was a supplier to Patek
Phillipe. The museum was opened after extensive renovation and
restoration.
The visit opens on the lower level with an exhibit of the watchmaking
tools of the past, with a master watchmaker as part of the scenery,
working in a replica of a traditional workshop. The tour then moves on
to the third floor, where visitors can inspect the archives of books and
documents related to the horological arts and sciences. Or, if you
prefer a briefer lesson, there are interactive multimedia displays
allowing access to the horological literature.
The Swiss Watch-shop
The second level features antique watches and clocks from around the world. It
features European watches from the 16th to 18th century. This was a golden era
of horology, when dandies and Kings demanded gadgets to entertain and impress,
and the master watchmakers of the day met the challenge. This was the era when
Louis Breguet
introduced innovations which were to define the modern watch and which
still run on many of the watches of today. Other featured exhibits are
the miniature paintings which were used for watch cases, and watches
made for the Turkish and Chinese markets. The tour ends with an exhibit
of Patek Phillipe’s own watches, since 1839, on the 1st Floor.
The modern watchmaking industry has since relocated outside of Geneva,
with major centres in Bienne and Valee de Joux. There is a watchmaking
exhibit in Valle de Joux at the Espace Horloger, with a collection that
mixes art and antique watches.
Over at Bienne, you can visit the Omega Museum which has a collection of
watches and other materials related to the Omega brand. Advertising over
the years have highlighted Omega in sports, being the first maker of
water resistant watches as well as the glamour and style of being
associated with James Bond and supermodels like Cindy Crawford. Omega is
a brand closely identified with the American Space Program, and it is
commemorated with a display of the space suits worn in the Apollo programme from 1969 — 1972, and a command desk used in the main control
room at the Houston Space Center.
No trip to Switzerland would be complete without a trip to the watch
shop, and no name comes to mind as readily as Bucherer when it comes to
shopping for watches. With its main shop in Lucerne, Bucherer has stores
in all of the major towns of Switzerland. They sell not only major watch
brands but also jewellery and the Swiss Army knife, a product almost as
synonymous with Switzerland as the Swiss watch itself.
The Patek Phillippe Museum is open 2 pm — 5 pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10
am — 5 pm Saturdays. The Omega Museum is open on weekdays. Telephone
appointment required (tel: +41 032 343 9211).
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