International Museum of Horology

International Museum of Horology
	Musée International d'Horlogerie
	Location within Switzerland
Established	1974
Location	La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Coordinates	47.1008°N 6.8301°E
Website	mih.ch

The International Museum of Horology, French: Musée international d'horlogerie, is a horological museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. It is owned and operated by the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds.

History

In 1865 the Watchmaking School of La Chaux-de-Fonds had the idea of putting together a collection of old clocks. This resulted, in 1902, in the opening of a small museum in the same building as the school. The collection gradually grew and the museum was enlarged three times, in 1907, 1952 and 1967[1].

It finally became clear that the premises were no longer suitable for a permanent and functional display of the whole collection. The Committee of the Museum therefore suggested to the Municipality of La Chaux-de-Fonds that a foundation should be set up with the purpose of promoting the construction of a new building. Opened in 1974 under the name of Musée international d'horlogerie, this was characterized by a conception and techniques in the avant-garde of architecture and museography. Three decades later its construction is as fascinating as its exhibits.

Both Le Locle and its geographical twin town La Chaux-de-Fonds have now been recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, for their horological and related cultural past.[2]

Tall case clock with multiple complications by Antide Janvier La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Marine Chronometer No. 3153 by Breguet & Fils, double barrels, La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Bracket clock with base by Pierre Jaquet Droz La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Minitayre marine chronometer by Ferdinand BerthoudLa Chaux-de-Fonds

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References

Bosshart, Nicole (2008). Le Pays de Neuchâtel et son patrimoine Horloger. Chézard-Saint-Martin, Switzerland: Les Editions de la Chatière. ISBN 978-2-940239-16-0. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
"La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

Baillod Gil, "The beating heart of worldwide horology", in watch around, n.012, automn 2011-winter 2012, pp. 70–73
Bosshart, Nicole, "International Museum of Horology – La Chaux-de-Fonds", in BUJARD Jacques; TISSOT Laurent (2008), The Territory of Neuchâtel and its Horological Heritage. Chézard-Saint-Martin: Editions de la Chatière, pp. 351–354, ISBN 978-2-940239-16-0.
Mercier, Francois; Cardinale, Catherine (1993). Museums of Horology - La Chaux-de-Fons - Le Locle. Zurich: Swiss Institute of Art Research. p. 128. ISBN 3-908184-33-9.
de Limoge, Andre (1974). Collections du musee internationale d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Suisse - Une selection parmi 3100 objects. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Suisse: musee internationale d'horlogerie. p. 151.
Cardinal, Catherine; Piguet, Jean Michel (2002). Catalog of Selected Pieces - Musee Internationale d'Horlogerie. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Suisse: Musee internationale d'horlogerie. p. 384. ISBN 2-940088-10-1.

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[1] Bosshart, Nicole (2008). Le Pays de Neuchâtel et son patrimoine Horloger. Chézard-Saint-Martin, Switzerland: Les Editions de la Chatière. ISBN 978-2-940239-16-0. Retrieved 5 February 2018.

[2] "La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 12 January 2018.