Sky, Earth, Hour, Minute, Second, Instant, Style, Hand and Machine are the themes covered by the display cases of the permanent exhibition.

Sky

Astronomical clocks, orreries and other observation instruments measure cyclical celestial phenomena and the movement of the planets.

Earth

The Earth rotates on its axis with great regularity. This reference standard is found in mechanical clocks whose dials subdivide time into periods of 12 or 24 hours.

Day

The succession of day and night is the most clearly perceptible periodic event. Calendar watches, which indicate the day, date, month and year, express the harmonisation of the calendar.

Hours

Clocks mechanically divide the day into periods, first via the movement of a foliot, then later a pendulum. Initially alone on the dial, the hour hand is joined by a minute hand for greater accuracy. The time is displayed in a broad range of formats.

Seconds

The accuracy of watches and clocks enables time to be divided into ever smaller fractions, allowing very short intervals to be measured. Test your reaction time !

Automata

Mechanical watches and clocks as demonstration instruments : magicians, singing birds and pocket automata to entertain kings and their subjects alike...

Pendulum clocks

Horology is international. The iconic pendulum clocks in this sector are grouped by origin, with particular emphasis on the Neuchâtel clock.

Style

A look at the changing appearance of timepieces, fashion, design and usage.

Machine

From the first machines to the major industrial production centres, mass-market watchmaking is developed in the manufactures.

Hand

The watchmaker’s workbench sits alongside those of the engraver and the enameller. The tools are simple, the expertise vast.

Power

Whether military, economic or social, is power in the hands of those who have mastered time ?

Instant

Experience the instant ! A space with no objects that reveals how the perception of time is created.