Knowledge & culture

Visit to the International Watch Museum

A fascinating journey through time in La Chaux-de-Fonds

The International Watch Museum (MIH) is characterised by a unique architectural and museographic concept and exhibits a significant collection dedicated to everything to do with horology. On the museum tour, you will marvel at the monumental carillon, the restoration centre for antique clocks and the wall frescoes by Hans Erni, among other things. There are many more treasures to discover on site, including many new acquisitions for the art collection. The 2024 exhibition, marking the building's 50th anniversary, tells the story of the encounter between watchmaking, museology and architecture.

The Watch Museum is conveniently accessible by public transportation. Take the train to La Chaux-de-Fonds. From the train station, it's just a short walk to the museum.

Temporary exhibition

MIH. 50 Years of a Monumental Showcase

Temporary exhibition, 23 March – 10 November 2024

In 2024, the Musée international d’horlogerie (MIH) commemorates 50 years since its establishment in the current building, seamlessly integrated into the Museum Park in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

This exhibition celebrates the convergence of watchmaking, museology, and architecture, shedding light on the broader historical context of the MIH’s inception and the innovative ideas proposed by its architects and museum designers to showcase the world’s most significant collection of timepieces.

An immersive projection, featuring archival footage, narrates the compelling tale of the museum’s construction, offering a unique interpretation of this Brutalist-inspired monument, honoured with the first concrete architecture prize Beton in 1977. Testimonies from renowned architects and other stakeholders of that time highlight its structural features and share anecdotes from the inauguration.

Following a glimpse into the design proposals of the 1968 competition finalists, now on display for the first time, museum visitors are invited to engage in a construction game, envisioning the potential appearance of a future redevelopment. As the museum approaches a significant renovation phase, "MIH. 50 Years of a Monumental Showcase" foreshadows efforts to revitalize the Museum Park for decades to come.

Accompanying the exhibition is a publication within the Guides to the Art and History of Switzerland series.

Exhibition space

To the nearest femtosecond!

How long does one second last? Who decides what time it is? The scholarly quest for precision has been at the heart of watchmaking innovation since the 17th century. Oscillators are key to developments in this field: the pendulum, the spring balance and, later, quartz, have all increased timekeeping accuracy. These innovations allowed them to increase the accuracy of the clock many times over and can be experienced in the exhibition area.

An audio guide is also available for the tour.

Immerse yourself in infinite precision!

Opening hours Today (Friday) open

Mon closed
Tue-Sun 10.00-17.00 hours

Open on Easter Monday and Whit Monday
The museum is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.

Subject to change without prior notice

Entry fee

CHF 15.00 Adults
CHF 12.50 Students with ID up to 24.99 years
CHF 7.50 Young people 12–15.99 years old
free of charge Children up to the age of 11.99
CHF 12.50 Retirees, recipients of invalidity pension
CHF 30.00 Families parents and own children

Each admission to the Clock Museum also entitles the holder to visit the History Museum, the Art Museum, the Farmers' and Craftsmen's Museum and the Muzoo free of charge. This pass is valid for 2 consecutive days.

The ticket also offers reduced prices at five other partners: Maison blanche, Musée des beaux-arts du Locle, Musée d'horlogerie du Locle, Moulins souterrains du Col-des-Roches, Tourisme neuchâtelois - Montagnes (small train and guided tour on schedule).

CHF 18.00 Adults
CHF 15.00 Students with ID up to 24.99 years
CHF 8.00 Children 12–15.99 years old
CHF 15.00 Retirees / recipients of invalidity pension
CHF 36.00 Families parents and own children

Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration.

For the children

Treasure hunt

A treasure hunt allows children to learn about the museum through play. By taking part in the hunt, specially designed for young visitors, children are encouraged to wander around the whole museum looking for items as diverse as a sword, a boat, a dragon, or even Minnie and Snowy. Every year, a draw takes place with prizes issued to the winners.

Language: French, German and English

Workshops and birthday parties

Play-based and educational workshops for a different way of encountering the museum! Why not come and build an object related to time or timekeeping and discover similar items in the museum’s collections?