Homes of the Finest Timepieces in the World

Throughout history, many scholars and aficionados have devoted themselves to the study of horology. It is the art of measuring time, which some people actually consider a science. But regardless of its proper classification, there is no doubt that many makers of clocks and watches have spent much of their life creating beautiful wonders that are here to stay. These are the places that house some of the best legacies.

CLOCKMAKER’S MUSEUM
London, England

Although the gathering of the collections started in 1814, the items were opened to the public only in 1874. Considered the oldest collection in the world, more than half of it consists of pieces dating as far back as c. 1600. One of the most important parts thereof is the celebrated marine timekeepers, which was completed in 1770.

NATIONAL WATCH AND CLOCK MUSEUM (NWCM)
Pennsylvania, USA

Operated by a non-profit organisation, its major collections include tools, machinery, and ephemera. While other institutions only have small departments exhibiting these priceless creations, NWCM stands out to be among the few places principally dedicated to timekeeping history, from the era of sundials, hourglasses, and fire timepieces, to today’s mass-produced wristwatches.

CUCKOOLAND MUSEUM
Cheshire, England

This contains three hundred (300) years of craftsmanship, from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century. It was started in 1990 by the Piekarski brothers, Maz and Roman, who believed that if they do not do anything to save surviving items, they will all end up in irretrievable disrepair. Having only a set of antique Black Forest initially, its collection has increased continuously ever since.

AMERICAN CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM (ACWM)
Connecticut, USA

Focusing primarily on industrial-made pieces from the nineteenth and early twentieth century, this is an independent institution that prefers to maintain a small number of professional staff. It gets enough support and manpower from volunteers.

MUSÉE INTERNATIONAL D’HORLOGERIE (MIH)
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

This is located in the centre of the country’s watch-making industry and home to famous horology schools, which were instrumental in initiating the most comprehensive timepiece collection. Among the highlights of its exhibits are works from renowned clock makers like Abraham-Louis Breguet, Antide Janvier, Julien Le Roy, Robin, Ferdinand Berthoud, Strasser & Rhode, Sigmund Riefler, Zenith, and F.M. Fedchenko.