Maurice Favre Foundation

Created in honor of the former curator of the watchmaking and history museums, Maurice Favre (1888-1961),  the foundation was built on the initiative of three great La Chaux-de-Fonds born residents. The act of the foundation was signed on June 30, 1967.

Maurice Ditisheim, president of the Precious Metal Works Control Office, Pierre Imhof, president of the Watch Museum Commission and Att. Jacques Cornu, secretary general of the Employers' Union of Watch Producers and first president of the Foundation announced from this date on; the goal is to build a museum worthy of the collections and the city.

Therefore, the FMF manages the project, from the proposal of the location as to where to raise the new museum, in the park of the Museum for three important developmental and cultural poles, draws up the rules of the architectural bid, then chooses a jury and promises to engage actively in the search for funding.

Since 1967, the Foundation has continued to support the major projects of the Museum. Currently the foundation manages the funds brought in by the friends association of MIH to allow the purchasing of pieces for the collection.

amisMIH

With the inauguration of the chime on May 31, 1980, the construction of the MIH was completed. Thus, on that date, the creation of the friends of the MIH association was announced, which would take over the Maurice Favre Foundation in action.

The primary goal of the association will be to participate in the growth of collections. From 1981 on, the friends association of MIH presides over the traditional evening of presentation of the donations and purchases of the past year. Since then, the number of members has constantly increased thanks to the important work of successive presidents and of the committee to find new sponsors, collective and individual members. The majority of major purchases were made thanks to their financial contribution; these acquisitions are specially highlighted in the entry of the museum.

Since many years now, the friends association of MIH have decided to expand their activities and support the museum in projects other than the purchase of collectibles, such as the creation of a DVD, support for exhibits or the setting up of conferences.

Each year, the friends association of the MIH publishes 'Le Carillon' in collaboration with the museum, for members and to the public. All editions are available online.

Website amisMIH

MIH Gaïa Watch

The Musée international d’horlogerie reveals its new creation: the MIH Gaïa watch. The idea behind it is to support exceptional workmanship with the aim of preserving watchmaking heritage.

When the MIH issued invitations to work on a unique project aimed at safeguarding and showcasing watchmaking heritage, various regional experts from different fields came forward. These artisans, all based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, were eager and proud to contribute their technical expertise towards the different aspects of the watch, to develop a finished product of outstanding quality.

MIH Gaïa Watch web site

Sponsorship

The “Turk drinking coffee on a flying carpet” was directed by François Junod for the hundredth anniversary of La Semeuse. This unique work was offered to the MIH by the Bloch family (Jean - Huguette, Marc - Cecilia) in 2015 on the occasion of the sale of the company.

Sponsorship is distinguished from donations by the actions supported by the sponsors. There are two very specific types of sponsorship:

  • The donation of money for the purchase of timepieces to complete the collections.
  • Provision of funds for the restoration of showcase collectibles.

Sponsorship

The Watch Library

The mission of The Watch Library Foundation is to preserve and enhance the watchmaking heritage towards a wide audience.

By digitizing and mobilizing the resources and archives of all watchmaking actors (museums, brands, institutions, media, retailers, suppliers, libraries), the initiative can exploit the capabilities of Big Data - the collection and publication of vast amounts of information - in this case about the watchmaking industry.

The Watch Library aims to demonstrate how shared data and knowledge foster innovation, creativity and thus feed the imagination of experts, current and future professionals and watch enthusiasts.
It reconciles heritage and digital technology to help increase the appeal of watchmaking to the public, especially to the younger generations of collectors.

As a public utility foundation, The Watch Library is at the service of the entire watchmaking eco-system and strives to enhance the value of all the stakeholders in a completely equitable manner.

Major public and private entities, convinced of the importance of preserving and transmitting watchmaking heritage, are joining forces to support The Watch Library Foundation. They thus allow the digitization and the availability of an ever-growing number of documents to feed the watchmaking passion, innovation and creativity.

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