In Biel/Bienne, the Omega Museum traces the history of the Swiss watchmaking brand founded in 1848, from its technical innovations to its ties with sport and space exploration. The interactive visit combines iconic watches, a 360-degree projection and a timed running track.
Main highlights
- Iconic watches linked to space exploration, the Olympic Games and James Bond
- 360-degree video projection on the history of timekeeping, in three languages
- 9 m running track to record your time with Olympic timing technology
Overview
The Omega Museum occupies a building in the Cité du Temps in Biel/Bienne, a complex designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. It traces the history of the Swiss watchmaking brand since its founding in 1848 by Louis Brandt. Omega is now part of the Swatch Group.
The brand is known for its technical innovations and its association with NASA’s space programmes : the Speedmaster was worn during all six Moon landings. Omega has also been the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932. The exhibition takes an interactive, multimedia approach.
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What to see and do
The visit begins with a 360-degree video projection in a room shaped like a Seamaster Planet Ocean chronograph. It tells the story of timekeeping from the earliest civilisations, in French, German or English. You then step inside a giant Speedmaster, where an animation reveals the inner workings of the Co-Axial escapement.
A 9 m running track lets you record your time using the technology used at the Olympic Games, next to the timing devices developed by the brand since 1932. A section dedicated to space lets you symbolically walk on the lunar surface.
Other areas present the world of James Bond, women’s watches such as the Ladymatic, Constellation and Seamaster, and pieces worn by Lawrence of Arabia and by John F. Kennedy at his inauguration. The museum also holds Louis Brandt’s workbench.
Practical information
Getting there : from Biel/Bienne station, take bus 2, 3, 4 or 72 to the OMEGA stop. A few blue-zone parking spaces are available near the museum.
Visit duration : allow 1.5 to 2 hours to enjoy the interactive experiences.
Who it’s for : families, children and sports fans enjoy the timed track, while watch enthusiasts appreciate the collections.
On site : an Omega boutique adjoins the museum, and Planet Swatch occupies the second floor.
Visiting tips
Start with the 360-degree projection : it lays the groundwork for the history of timekeeping presented throughout the rest of the exhibition.
Combine your visit with Planet Swatch, located in the same building, where you can design your own personalised Swatch watch.
Nearby attractions
- The Cité du Temps in Biel/Bienne brings together under one roof the Swatch and Omega museums dedicated to watch design.
- The NMB Nouveau Musée Bienne links archaeology, natural sciences and art to present Biel’s heritage.
- Nidau Castle, a 14th-century fortress on the banks of the Aare, houses the regional museum of the Bernese Seeland.
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