The Patek Philippe Museum, located in Geneva, Switzerland, is the only private museum in the world with a collection spanning 500 years of watch history. This year marks its 20th anniversary. The rich collection includes about 2,500 watches, automatic mechanical devices and miniature enamel portraits, including Patek Philippe’s watchmaking achievements since 1839. On the occasion of the museum’s 20th anniversary, the museum plans to publish two new books, one about the museum’s antique watch collection and the other about the Patek Philippe watch collection. Ten thousand copies will be published in English and are scheduled to be published in 2022. Two boxed or stand-alone books are available for purchase.
The birth of this museum originated from the personal passion for watches by Philippe Stern, the current Honorary President of Patek Philippe. Before he came up with the idea of building a museum, he was already a watch collector. Initially, he mainly collected Patek Philippe watches with complex functions. In 1980, he began to expand his collection to include all timepieces that have played a role in the history of watchmaking since the 16th century. In addition, masterpieces in enamel art are also included in his collection. Over time, he gradually established an extraordinary watch collection series. For him, collecting these masterpieces of technology and aesthetics is not just to satisfy his personal preferences. He is also happy to share what he finds with the public. Making the collection public can not only convey the glorious tradition of Geneva’s high-end watchmaking, but also let this cultural tradition be passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, during his tenure as president of the brand, the idea of establishing a museum came into being.
The location of the museum – No. 7 Vieux- Grenadiers Street in the Plainpalas district of Geneva is the place where Patek Philippe was founded. This is a historic building. It was an industrial building between 1919 and 1920. Patek Philippe acquired it in 1975 and housed its Ateliers Réunis, which was responsible for making watch cases, bracelets and chains. In 1996, the above processes were moved to the new watchmaking complex in Plan-les- Ouates. The original property was vacant, and Philippe Stern decided to display his timepiece collection here. After the building was renovated, the Patek Philippe Museum was officially unveiled in November 2001.
The exhibits in the Patek Philippe Museum are not limited to Patek Philippe’s works, but also watch treasures from five centuries. It is recommended to start the visit from the G floor, and then go to the fourth floor, third floor and second floor in turn. This is the best route for visiting. The collection and exhibition themes of each floor are as follows:
[G floor]: Display watchmaking workbenches and ancient watchmaking tool collections to create the atmosphere of a former workshop. There is a studio where visitors can observe the work of watchmakers.
[Fourth Floor]: There is a Patek Philippe historical archive and library, and 141 miniature enamel portraits and 16 snuff box collections are exhibited. These treasures are from the 18th and 19th centuries, showing the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient methods. In addition, a clock made by French clockmaker Antide Janvier in 1810 is also exhibited. Three bronze nude statues of Atlas stand on the base of the clock, supporting a celestial globe carved from glass, in which a solar system can be seen, simulating the movement of stars around the sun.
[Third Floor]: There are 1,200 antique clocks and watches from the 16th to the mid-19th century, recording the origin and history of portable mechanical timepieces.
[Second Floor]: Patek Philippe watches from 1839 to 2000 are exhibited, as well as some commemorative timepieces published later. About 1,500 timepieces are exhibited on the entire floor. These historical collections are also Patek Philippe’s treasure trove of inspiration.
Since its opening in 2000, the Patek Philippe Museum has long been one of the most worthwhile museums in Geneva, with 600,000 visitors so far. In addition to displaying permanent collections, the museum also hosts short-term special exhibitions. Some of the museum’s collections have been exhibited in various countries with the Patek Philippe Watch Art Exhibition, giving watch lovers around the world the opportunity to get close to the beauty of watchmaking art.
French 
English 
Russian 
Italian 
German 
Danish 
Swedish 
Dutch