The world’s happiest country, Switzerland exports its happiness around the world with a blend of generosity (despite the strong Swiss franc!) and precision. Under the impetus of the United States, researchers at Columbia University in New York have drawn up a “World Happiness Report” ranking of 158 countries currently topped by Switzerland (up from third place in 2013), which scored a 7.6/10 rate of satisfaction. One or several watchmakers will doubtless offer a limited series on this key theme.
On a more general and indeed philosophical level, wearing the colors of happiness on the wrist is certainly appealing. Housing within personal bodily territory a “micro-embassy” of the serene country of smiles should be a source of delight that encourages people to treat others or themselves to such an experience. The Swiss National Tourist Office could choose to draw inspiration from it, as indeed could retailers.
We have granted this precious time in abundance to photographer Christian Pfahl to immortalize watchmaking DNA in Geneva architecture across all four seasons. Such is the concept behind the exhibition comprising 24 photographic works on show at the Cité du Temps in Geneva until August 16th (gallery picked over a four-week period on WorldTempus and its networks).
Other highlights of this GMT reflecting the 1001 facets of the 12th Art include interviews with Nicola Andreatta (Tiffany) and Marc Hayek (Breguet, Blancpain, Jaquet Droz), a Test Bench on the Rotonde GMT by Cartier, a study of the Lady 8 by Jaquet Droz viewed by Axel Leuzinger, a “coiled to spring” article in our Innovation section, and a look at why the movement costs what it does. A wealth of creations waiting to be discovered in this passport to pleasure, whose digital version transcends all borders on worldtempus.com.
The entire magazine is now available from Swiss and digital newsstands, here and there.
