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There is a place in Switzerland, in the north-eastern part of the country, on the border with France, where time is precious more than anything else in the world. Here unfolds a rich and fascinating journey made up of art, history and museums in what is called the Valley of the clocks.
A 200 km journey punctuated by the presence of historic watchmaking companies and themed museums, places that preserve a immense historical and cultural wealth, immersed in an incredible landscape.
The itinerary of the Valley of Watches starts from Basel and crosses the entire Jura chain until arriving in Geneva. 90% of the watch production for which the country is famous throughout the world is concentrated along this route. A journey to travel slowly and without haste because time is the most precious thing we have, and in Switzerland they know this well.
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The renowned companies and themed museums are immersed in the fairy-tale landscapes of the country, where walking excursions in nature allow you to admire bucolic landscapes made up of mountain peaks that frame delightful ancient villages, vineyards and fascinating lakes.
The journey begins at Biel, city of watchmaking, located at the end of the lake of the same name. In addition to the beauty of its historic center, of medieval origins, over the years this has become a destination for all lovers of the sector because some of the most famous brands in the world such as Rolex, Omega, Tissot and Movado are based here.
The Omega museum in Biel it is a truly immersive experience in the sector and allows you to discover the history of the illustrious brand, famous throughout the world for its mechanisms to the point of having been the supplier of the astronauts' chronographs for the moon landing.
About 30 kilometers from the city, we find the Musée Longines, in St. Imiers, a place that traces the history of the brand through all the watch models, timekeeping devices and navigation instruments produced by the company.
The route in the Valley of Clocks continues in the canton of Neuchâtel where La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle are located. The two cities, only 9 kilometers apart, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their importance in the sector.
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The Cartier, Zenith and Ulysse Nardin companies are based here'incredible International Watch Museum, a place that houses a collection of over 4500 pieces, including luxury masterpieces and iconic watches.
Continuing towards Le Locle, however, we find the evocative Musée d'horlogerie du Locle - Château des Monts located inside a castle surrounded by an English garden.
Before reaching Geneva, the last stop on our journey and a symbolic place for Fine Watchmaking, the itinerary passes through Neuchâtel, capital of the canton of the same name.
A delightful city that overlooks the lake and attracts numerous tourists every year for its incredible landscapes. Here it is worth visiting the Farmer's and Crafts Museum which, in the warm atmosphere of a farm, shows a glimpse of the life of a farmer watchmaker at the origins of watchmaking in the mountains of Neuchâtel.
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