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 2025 exhibition will be dedicated to the invention of the spiral spring, which has been a component at the heart of traditional mechanical watches for 350 years.
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
INNOVATION IN MOTION – Christiaan Huygens and the 350th Anniversary of the Spiral Spring
Dates: from 21 February to 22 June 2025
The museum presents the history of a legendary component of the watch that revolutionized horology in the 16th century. The spiral spring is still a component that undergoes many technological developments, as it is crucial for the precision of the mechanical watch.
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 (Wednesday) open
Mon closed
Tue–Sun 10.00-17.00 hours
The museum is open on Easter Monday and Whit Monday and closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
Subject to change without prior notice
Rates
Entry prices for the International Watch Museum
- CHF 15.00 Adults
- CHF 13.00 Students with ID up to 24.99 years
- CHF 7.00 Young people 12–15.99 years old
- free of charge Children up to the age of 11.99
- CHF 13.00 Retirees, recipients of invalidity pension
- CHF 30.00 Families parents and two children
Museum pass La Chaux-de-Fonds
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 20.00 Adults
- CHF 16.00 Students with ID up to 24.99 years
- CHF 9.00 Young people 12–15.99 years old
- free of charge Children up to the age of 11.99
- CHF 16.00 Retirees, recipients of invalidity pension
- CHF 39.00 Families parents and two children
Guided tours
- CHF 130.00 Per guide 1.5 hours
- CHF 70.00 Pupils, students, apprentices from public schools 1 hour
- CHF 70.00 Visit to the Jacot workshop at Progrès 68 45 minutes
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
Audioguides
How to get there
Travel comfortably by train to La Chaux de Fonds.
From La Chaux de Fonds railway station it takes 7 minutes on foot along the Rue des Musées.
