KMII
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A visit to the MiH ⚙️⚙️⚙️
As teasered recently in another post, I have finally managed to visit MiH for the first time some weeks ago and what a pleasure it has been. Tacked on at the back of a trip to Geneva, it was actually a bit of an afterthought but I am truly glad to have done it - and I have to say that it was surprisingly family friendly and family oriented as well - asking the kids they’d go back in a jiffy (now that’s certainly some customers of tomorrow after the event 😉).
The Prix Beton Prize (as posted previously www.watchprosite.com ) refers to the building, which I find a very suitable ‘container’ to what’s inside, as well as a good representation of the times, when the museum was built.
The gnomon in front - one of the earliest ways of telling time…
The gnomon in front - one of the earliest ways of telling time…
The collection covers pretty much all things horological and is a celebration of timekeeping and technology. As opposed to the better known brand museums the focus is not on brand building or ‘value’ but on actual progress and variety of approaches. I was positively surprised at how seriously the International from the name gets taken - and did most certainly not expect the coverage of so much from Japan or China for instance (international here not only meaning the German speaking cantons of Switzerland in addition to the French 😉).
The first piece you see is a student clock project from 1925…
Early smart watch era is covered, too - some members might recognize a few 😊
There’s exhibits on material innovation, not surprisingly featuring the original Freak…
Like with most things several approaches to the same problem have been attempted. Here a Swiss equivalent to what Seiko later commercialized as Spring Drive.
A brief coverage on the rise of the AHCI…
In addition to wristwatches pocket watches are also covered reasonably extensively…
As are clocks of different eras and with the technological innovations over time. I was impressed to even find a clock that my father had stashed away somewhere (and it’s probably the only place with as more clocks than he has 😂)…
In addition to serious technological innovations in and around horology, the museum also covers some cultural aspects and eras, including the more whimsical and fashionable…
Including some Lip design classics…
Dive watche developments are displayed…
As are some prominent past figures leading to various innovations…
Yet more and much more complex clocks…
And miniaturization on the other end of the spectrum…
Art doesn’t only come in the form of metal cogs and wheels but also in wood…
The museum even has a mechanical Turk 🙌🏻
And a full coverage of the historical developments of time keeping…
…chronographs and stopwatches…
Some famous historical pieces…
A portrait of ‘the man’…
…world timers 🌏…
As said, the museum seems pretty brand agnostic. As the focus is on a representation of technology first and what is out there (i.e. range) second, there are some surprising (in a positive sense) exhibits.
Including some Otsuka Lotec pieces, as recently posted by Gorgav…
There’s one from Atelier Wen…
…Takano…
And some Behrens ones…
Including this rotary homage to the work of Felix Wankel…
No time museum should be complete without a memento mori exhibit 💀
Some exhibits are on permanent loan from people such as Paul Gerber…
There is a section on various watch types and complications that will cover quite some aspects of horology.
And while the WPS members have probably seen it all, there was the odd surprise even for me - including the Omega take on the Reverso…
There is a good section on the development and progression of electronic watches and quartz…
Covering both brands we know well to have been involved in it as well as some in the meantime forgotten ones…
The MiH watch on display but sadly no longer for sale 🤷🏻♂️
And while there’s really no brand or luxury focus to the whole place, you will of course find many a known name in the collection…
There’s a coverage of tourbillons…
…perpetual calendars…
Anyone still remembers Kelek, the complication maker from back in the day?
There’s alarms - actually I think JML might have loaned some of his for the display 😉⏰
Thin automatics…
Case protection methods…
…water proofing…
…skeletonization…
And many other topics…
Including design and fashion…
As stated in the beginning, the building design has been well chosen IMHO, really putting the collection first and foremost and not overshadowing it.
But I can well imagine it was reasonably forward thinking back in the day…
While the brands do not seem to have much influence on the main collection of the museum, several do have an exhibit in the entry / shop area. Most are very much up to date…
(un)Fortunately the original MiH watch is no longer on sale and the successor - the Gaia (as also recently posted by Gorgav) can only be ordered online. And while some watches are sold by the museum shop (Doxa being one of the brands offered), this meant that I left the museum with some extra literature but no additional watches 😊🤷🏻♂️
Irrespective of that it is truly a wonderful experience and highly recommended to anyone who’s not yet been. Well worth the little detour and a place where you can easily immerse yourself for hours on end. And where your family will not look at you askance for having had to join in. In addition to the exhibits there are several workshops with watchmakers, movies and other activities (treasure hunts for children) that round out the offering.
Hope you enjoyed the little journey 👋🏻
A visit to the MiH ⚙️⚙️⚙️
As teasered recently in another post, I have finally managed to visit MiH for the first time some weeks ago and what a pleasure it has been. Tacked on at the back of a trip to Geneva, it was actually a bit of an afterthought but I am truly glad to have do...
I cannot recommend it highly enough 👌🏻👍🏻
I am sure you’d have a great time of it 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you for this wonderful report!
I’ve been lucky to visit the Museum last February and you really bring the feeling and overall content so faithfully. To my great shame, I must say that I had not noticed the Beton Prize! Best, Emmanuel
😂😂😂😂😂
That was probably not the most prominent feature - I also not took a picture of it on the way out, once I was done. Glad you liked the post - and like you say, well worth a visit 👍🏻
What a visual feast :)
And, no, I had never even heard of, much less seen those Omega "Reversos" !
Thank you so much for sharing that whole photos album! What an amazing journey!
Posts like these make me feel like I was actually there. Much appreciated and glad you enjoyed the visit!
Thanks a lot - and glad you enjoyed it 😊👍🏻
There’s plenty more to see live but not sure a single post could cover that realistically 😂
Asulab made at least 150 of those HPM prototypes, I really want to get one
Afaik they worked well so I don't know why Swatch gave up on it. Richemont tried it too, but made even fewer units. In the meantime, Epson has pushed the technology to the extremes of accuracy with the 9RA2/5 and 9RB2 movements that I bet the Asulab team ...
As Mike would say "Can I get my passport stamped please?" 😁👍
Great Fantastic Report, was just like being there, I realized I want to live at the MIH 😁, Apartment upstairs and wander its halls after breakfast everyday 😀 The LIP Bell & Ross was a pleasant surprise 😊, really nothing new under the sun. Thank You for th...
Unfortunately…
I did not ask about the apartment 😂🤦🏻♂️ Great idea 👌🏻👍🏻 Glad you liked the post - I am sure you’d like the real thing more 🙌🏻
Amazing, what a fun place that is. I had that exact Seiko TV watch kit. Left work on my 30min dinner break and bought it at Sears after seeing they had 25% off on Seikos. Later traded it
for my early Breitling Aerospace with my local watchmaker (who works on PPs and APs yet loves everything Seiko). Just looked up value on a perfect example with everythig, looks like he won on that trade! lol! Oh, well I still love that Aerospace! Thanks f...
Well - almost impossible to tell in advance 😊🤷🏻♂️
As long as you enjoy the Aerospace, all is good 👍🏻 And your MiH watch is superb for sure 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
