The Cité du Temps in Biel brings together the Swatch and Omega museums under one roof, dedicated to the history and design of Swiss watchmaking. You explore two floors of interactive exhibitions in a 240 m timber building designed by Shigeru Ban.
Watchmaking
Main highlights
- Planet Swatch displays more than 6,000 watches, from the first 1983 models to limited editions.
- The Omega Museum showcases the Speedmaster, the first watch worn on the Moon during Apollo 11.
- A Shigeru Ban building with a 240 m long timber structure on the banks of the Suze.
Overview
The Cité du Temps is run by the Swatch Group, a watchmaking group that includes several brands, among them Breguet, Blancpain and Harry Winston. Opened in 2019, it houses the Swatch and Omega museums, spread over two floors.
The 240 m long building was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and rests on a timber structure. On one side is the colourful world of Swatch; on the other, the history of Omega and its timepieces. A promenade runs along the Suze at the foot of the building, also making it a popular thoroughfare.
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What to see and do
On the second floor, Planet Swatch traces the history of the brand, founded in 1983, through more than 6,000 watches. Illuminated towers tell the story of how the models evolved, and an interactive presentation explains how they are made. A Swatch X You station lets you design your own watch.
A cinema-themed area presents the collections inspired by James Bond. You can also see the thinnest watch in the history of watchmaking, a one-of-a-kind Swatch, the Sistem51, made of 51 parts and a single screw, and the Flik Flak, designed to teach children to tell the time.
On the first floor, the Omega Museum traces the history of the brand founded in 1848. Videos, themed areas and interactive installations showcase its timepieces, its ties with the Olympic Games and its technical innovations.
Practical information
Getting there : from Biel station, take the bus to the OMEGA stop. Blue-zone parking is available nearby.
Visit duration : allow about 2 to 3 hours for both museums.
Suitable for : families, watch enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Booking is required for groups and school classes of more than 10 people.
On site : promenade along the Suze and the Swatch-Drive-Thru nearby.
Visitor tips
With children, start with Planet Swatch, which is more playful, then continue to the Omega Museum, which focuses on history and technology. Take time to try the interactive installations and watch the explanatory videos.
Nearby, the Swatch-Drive-Thru lets you buy a watch without leaving your car.
Nearby attractions
- The Omega Museum showcases iconic watches and the brand’s ties with sport and space.
- Nidau Castle, a 14th-century fortress on the banks of the Aare, houses the Seeland regional museum.
- The Chasseral, a Jura summit accessible from Nods, offers panoramic views of the Alps and the plains.
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