Hortense de Witt – The Patek Philippe Museum
A true showcase of Geneva’s watchmaking expertise, the Patek Philippe Museum celebrates nearly five centuries of timekeeping history. Behind its glass displays, poetic automata, pocket watches, and enamelled masterpieces retrace the birth of an art form that has become a symbol of excellence. Here, you discover the artisans’ meticulous work, the ingenuity of the mechanisms, and the beauty of a tradition that Geneva has so carefully preserved. More than just a museum, it’s a place of transmission — a vibrant tribute to craftsmanship, precision, and the emotion behind each tick. You can’t help but be captivated by the magic of the space. The delicate chirp of a mechanical bird, the sparkle of a hand-painted dial — everything breathes life. It’s a living memory, a pulse of history beating through every floor. Two hours slip by unnoticed, enchanted by this silent dialogue between art, engineering, and the poetry of time.
Marie de Pimodan – The Bâtiment des Forces Motrices
In a month, almost to the day, the 25th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève will be held within the walls of the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, standing right behind me. But that’s not the only reason I chose to raise my arms to the sky at 10:10 in front of this iconic site of Geneva’s cultural scene. Built in the bed of the Rhône between 1883 and 1892 by engineer and politician Théodore Turrettini, the building once powered the city’s fountains, homes, and factories using water from the river. It was thanks to this pressurized current that thousands of cabinotiers — the watchmakers who worked in small workshops along the Rhône in the 18th century — found the energy needed to mechanize the making of movements and watch cases. Since then, much water has passed under the bridges, but time has not erased their legacy.
Marine Kieffer – The Flower Clock
I chose Geneva’s Flower Clock because, to me, it’s an iconic symbol that pays tribute to the city’s watchmaking industry. Its massive dial — one of the largest in the world — represents the precision and mechanical expertise that have built Geneva’s reputation since the 16th century. The ever-changing floral design reflects the cyclical, natural rhythm of the seasons. In contrast, the underlying mechanism represents measured, industrial time, tamed by human ingenuity. The Flower Clock perfectly embodies the fusion of art, nature, and technical mastery — a pillar of Geneva’s identity and a living testament to its watchmaking heritage.
Mathilde Teyssaire – The Sundial
For World Watch Day, I chose to spotlight Geneva’s sundial, located near the lake on Quai du Général-Guisan. This discreet spot reminds us of the very origins of time measurement, long before mechanical watchmaking emerged. Its presence in the city symbolizes the link between the ancient tradition of solar time and the horological excellence for which Geneva is renowned worldwide. I particularly appreciate this sundial because it is both beautiful and educational, surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic sites. It enriches Geneva’s watchmaking and cultural identity.
Pauline Estival – The Malbuisson Carillon
If there’s one element that beautifully illustrates the historic link between watchmaking and the city of Geneva, it’s the Malbuisson Carillon. Created in 1962 by watchmaker Édouard Wirth, it’s installed at the heart of the passage that shares its name. A true mechanical masterpiece, it combines hours, minutes, a triple-date calendar, moon phases, carillon, and an animated parade. Every hour, its automata reenact the 1602 Escalade battle, when the Genevans repelled the Duke of Savoy’s army, while 16 bells play a traditional melody. A perfect symbol of time, memory, and Genevan craftsmanship.
Yannick Nardin – The Reformation Wall
A walk beneath the gaze of giants… In the Parc des Bastions, Calvin, Farel, Knox, and Bèze stand watch, monumental and solemn. To me, the Reformation Wall beautifully represents the influence of Protestantism on the rise of watchmaking. In the 16th century, Geneva welcomed Protestant refugees; combined with sumptuary restrictions — jewelry gave way to the more practical watch — this influx fueled the growth of a local watch industry, officially established in 1601. A second major wave of French watchmakers followed the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. And watchmaking has never left Geneva since.
Brice Lechevalier – Hotel Cornavin
The largest pendulum clock in the world? Picture a 30-meter-long clock with a 26-meter pendulum (weighing 350 kg), whose lens swings in the hotel lobby in front of the elevators. Genevan mechanical engineer and artist Jean Kazès custom-designed it to fit into the hotel’s former staircase shaft. Head up to the 9th floor to admire the mechanism, clad in steel rings, complete with its escapement and two weights (20 and 40 kg). Another milestone in Geneva’s horological DNA!
Mathieu Rotzer – The Jet d’Eau
Geneva’s Jet d’Eau, now a powerful symbol of the city, actually has roots in the watchmaking industry. At the end of the 19th century, it served as a safety valve for a hydraulic plant that provided energy to artisan workshops — including those of Geneva’s watchmakers. This subtle but real link between mechanical precision and controlled water power gives the Jet d’Eau a special significance. I chose this place for its striking beauty, where nature, engineering, and history meet in a balance as elegant as a Swiss timepiece.
