Over the period of a year, taking in all four seasons, Geneva-based photographer Christian Pfahl followed the route of the Geneva Watch Tour to capture different aspects of the watchmaking DNA in the city's architecture. A total of 24 photos highlighting the rich diversity of the city's watchmaking heritage will be on display over the summer at the Cité du Temps, on the Pont de la Machine.
Geneva is the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking and although the factories may since have left the city centre, a stroll around its streets reveals that symbols of watchmaking are still omnipresent. Some of them, like the Flower Clock, the chimes of the Passage Malbuisson and the illuminated signs dotted along the roofs, are more obvious indications of Geneva's role in the development of Swiss watchmaking. But fewer people are likely to know about the horological roots of sights such as the Geneva water fountain or the role of John Calvin in the formation of the world's first corporation of watchmakers in the city in 1601, shortly after Geneva prohibited any open displays of wealth.
Organised by GMT magazine and WorldTempus, with the kind support of 1875 FINANCE, the photography exhibition will be open from 17 June to 9 August 2015. The original works will be on sale during the event and all proceeds will be donated to Only Watch, the charitable organisation renowned for its work in the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Geneva Watch Tour
Established in 2012 by GMT magazine and its founder Brice Lechevalier, the Geneva Watch Tour is a walking route that offers an enjoyable way to discover the city centre of Geneva. It invites both tourists and locals to see their city through a hundred different shops and twelve historical monuments linked to the history of watchmaking. The Geneva Watch Tour is an official tourist product of Genève Tourisme and is as such promoted worldwide, in particular with the distribution of pocket maps depicting the tour.
Click on the photo at the top of this article to see the 24 photos taken by Christian Pfahl.
Practical information
Price per photograph: 800 CHF + shipping costs
Numbered editions signed by the photographer and delivered with certificate of authenticity.
3mm Dibon panels in F4 format (89.5 X 128 cm) with aluminium frame for wall hanging.
If you would like to order a photo, please send an e-mail to photo@genevawatchtour.com indicating the number and title of the photo you are interested in.
Cité du Temps
Pont de la Machine 1, 1204 Genève
Open every day from 9am until 6pm
Entrance free
