Geneva at the Heart of Time – Origin of Swiss Watchmaking Culture
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 5, 2018
Exhibition "Geneva at the Heart of Time – Origin of Swiss Watchmaking Culture" was displayed at the Capital Museum in Beijing from April 24, 2015 - August 12, 2015.
Here is the introduction:
The exhibition"Geneva at the Heart of Time – Origin of Swiss Watchmaking Culture" organized by Capital Museum of China in collaboration with the Geneva Museum of Art and History and Vacheron Constantin officially opened in Capital Museum. At a time when the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Switzerland and China is being celebrated, it is the first ever Swiss horological exhibition staged by the Capital Museum.
With about 350 exhibits, including antique clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches, as well as watchmaking tools and equipment, the exhibition displays the history and excellence of Swiss watchmaking and offers a unique view into the fine watchmaking history of Geneva, the cradle of this craft for more than three centuries, with a focus on its technical aspects and excellent craftsmanship.
The more than 220 watches and enamel exhibits of the Geneva Museum of Art and History are exquisite and precious, for example, "Les Frères Huault", Geneva (Switzerland), enamelers; Fromanteel, watchmaker, London (England), gilt brass and enamel pocket watch, ca.1680 and Rochat Frères, Cage with three singing birds and a striking mechanism, Geneva (Switzerland), ca. 1814. The Manufacture Vacheron Constantin is also exhibiting about 80 exclusive pieces from its heritage collection, including the first-known pocket watch created by Jean-Marc Vacheron, the firm’s founder, and an exquisite skeleton clock first shown at the National Exhibition of Zurich in 1939. In addition, Vacheron Constantin is showing off some of its precious tools and equipment.
The exhibition also showcases a reconstructed 18th Century Geneva cabinotiers workshop, based on a painting by Christophe Fran?ois von Ziegler that is on display at Museum of Art & History, Geneva.
In addition to the exhibition of heritage pieces, craftsmen from Geneva, including a Master Watchmaker, Master Enameller, Master Gem-setter, Master Engraver, and Master Guillocheur, will demonstrate their age-old state-of-the-art techniques from April 23rd to May 3rd, May 28th to June 3rd, and July 9th to July 15th, 2015.
