Luxury Watchmaking Experience

Geneva is one of the great watchmaking capitals of the world, and the city's history of horology is woven into its streets. The craft took root in the sixteenth century, after the Reformation brought strict rules about public display in Calvin's city. Goldsmiths, no longer able to sell jewellery freely, turned to making small decorated watches, and the skills they developed laid the foundations of an industry that later became synonymous with Switzerland. Geneva watchmakers pioneered enamel painting, fine engraving, complex movements and precision timekeeping, and many of the great names in the trade have their roots or headquarters here.

A walking tour is a good way to experience the subject. Routes link the lakeside shops of the Rue du Rhône, the old town with its quiet lanes, and the district around the station, passing many specialist boutiques and a number of historic buildings. Some tours are self-guided with a map or audio, while others are led by a local guide who explains how the trade developed and who works where. The city also holds watch fairs and prizes during the year, which bring collectors and makers together.

The highlight for most enthusiasts is the Patek Philippe Museum, housed in a former workshop building in the Plainpalais area. The museum displays antique watches and enamelled objects from the sixteenth century onward, along with the company's own pieces from its founding in 1839, and it includes a library dedicated to horology. Visitors can see how mechanisms evolved from early spring-driven clocks to the sophisticated complications of the modern era. The city's art and history museum also holds important timepieces.

Quality is a matter of pride here. The Geneva Seal, introduced in 1886, is a hallmark that certifies that a watch has been made and assembled in the canton of Geneva to demanding standards of finish and reliability, and watch buyers recognise the sign as a mark of excellence.

Plan a few hours for the walk and more if you want to visit the museum. Combine the experience with a stroll along the lake or a look at the Reformation Wall in the Parc des Bastions. Check what is included with the Geneva City Pass before you set out, and note that opening times of shops and museums vary.