Geneva’s Patek Philippe Museum showcases more than five centuries of watchmaking artistry in a fully restored Art Deco building. Discover nearly 2,500 watches, automata and precious objects, from 16th-century antique pieces to the manufacture’s own creations.
Watchmaking
Main highlights
- Nearly 2,500 watches and automata tracing five centuries of watchmaking history
- Patek Philippe collection since 1839 featuring complications and the house’s iconic models
- Library of more than 8,000 books devoted to timekeeping and watchmaking
Overview
In 1989, Patek Philippe celebrated its 150th anniversary by presenting a collection of more than 500 watches at the Geneva Museum of Watchmaking and Enamelling. Following the exhibition’s success, Philippe Stern, then president of the manufacture, and his wife Gerdi decided to dedicate a museum to it.
Opened in 2001 in a fully restored Art Deco building in the Plainpalais district, the private museum brings together nearly 2,500 watches, automata, precious objects and decorative arts pieces. It bears witness to Geneva’s watchmaking expertise and the craft traditions associated with it.
"*" indicates required fields
What to see and do
The tour spans four floors and is divided into two sections. The antique collection gathers watches, musical automata and enamels from the 16th to the 19th century, of Genevan, Swiss and European origin. These pieces show how watchmaking techniques have evolved since the Renaissance and the role of artistic crafts, such as enamelling and goldsmithing, in the making of timepieces.
The Patek Philippe collection offers an overview of the manufacture’s production from its beginnings in 1839 to the present day. You can follow the evolution of its creations through its most elaborate complications and iconic models.
The museum also houses a library of more than 8,000 books devoted to timekeeping, a valuable resource for enthusiasts wishing to explore the subject further.
Practical information
Getting there : the museum is located in the Plainpalais district of Geneva.
Visit duration : allow two to three hours to explore the four exhibition floors.
Guided tours : public tours are held in French and English. Private tours by appointment are available in several languages, including German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Russian.
Visiting tips
Book a private guided tour so a specialist can explain the technical and artistic aspects of the pieces. The public tour is a simpler alternative to arrange.
This museum is part of the Geneva, between lakes, mountains and cosmopolitanism selection, which extends your discovery of the city.
Nearby attractions
- The Mamco Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art occupies a former factory and exhibits art from the second half of the 20th century to the present day.
- The Bains des Pâquis, on the shores of Lake Geneva, let you swim summer and winter alike facing the Jet d’eau.
- The MEG Geneva Ethnography Museum invites young and old to discover the cultures of the world.
Report an error or complete the informations
Reviews about this place