To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its building, the International Watchmaking Museum is unveiling two new creations: the MIH Gaïa Series III watch and a special 50th anniversary edition featuring 50 unique dials, hand-guilloché by Georges Brodbeck, winner of the 2023 Gaïa Prize
A Shaniah Asha Gibson’s selection / @TRP, Public Relations Cabinet
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Available online starting from September 19 at www.montremih.ch. The selling price for this watch, made in La Chaux-de-Fonds, is set at CHF 3,400 (excluding tax) for the MIH Gaïa III and CHF 5,050 (excluding tax) for the special 50th anniversary series. The MIH Gaïa watch also meets the demand of museum visitors, who wish to acquire a locally produced piece during their visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site. For this reason, it will also be available for purchase at the MIH shop. Moreover, it is expected to be an ideal investment for collectors looking to support the MIH.
The sale of these creations is intended to fund preservation and promotion efforts for the collections housed by the MIH
Inspired by the previous two series but with a renewed design by XJC, aka designer Xavier Perrenoud these models were developed within the MIH restoration workshop and crafted with the help of renowned artisans and companies historically established in the La Chaux-de-Fonds region.
Set to go on sale during the 30th Gaïa Prize ceremony on 19.09.2024 and delivered by the end of the year, the MIH Gaïa Series III watches and the 50th anniversary edition pay tribute, each in their own way, to watchmaking expertise and the museum’s legacy.
The Art of Reference
The MIH Gaïa watch embodies the essence and spirit of the place where it was conceived. Original in both form and display, the piece draws inspiration from the museum’s architecture: a brutalist building whose underground structure surprises with its interplay of empty spaces, concrete, and light. This game of hide-and-seek inspired the design of the watch case, a blend of intertwining curves and straight lines.
The dials of these new editions are inspired by various architectural elements, creating unique and innovative visuals. The straight lines of the MIH Gaïa III series dial evoke the angles of the structure and the visible intersections of the formwork. The chosen blue color also harks back to the first MIH watch model and the museum’s institutional colors.
The curved lines of the guilloché dial by Georges Brodbeck reflect the play of curves, rhythm, and light orchestrated by the architecture. The silver, left in its pure form, echoes the raw materiality of the exposed concrete..
Each watch is associated with an original, numbered, and signed serigraphy by Xavier Perrenoud
MIH Gaïa III Series
A limited and numbered series of 50 pieces has been produced to celebrate the museum’s jubilee. The dial design is the result of Xavier Perrenoud’s exploration of the symbolism behind the Ensō, a complex concept in Zen Buddhism represented by a circle that embodies the idea of emptiness through form.
The interplay of solid and empty spaces created by the random stops in the guilloché lines, crafted by Georges Brodbeck, invites a philosophical reflection on the balance of elements. Inspired by this spiritual concept and the curves and light play of the museum’s architecture, the 50th Anniversary Edition dial is made of silver. Each guilloché line, arranged in a graceful arc, is the result of a confident and precise movement, yet its placement is a free interpretation of the artisan hand’, making every piece unique. These timeless curved forms echo the elegant, ovoid silhouettes of the museum’s characteristic showcases.
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50th Anniversary Edition
A limited and numbered series of 50 pieces has been produced to celebrate the museum’s jubilee. The dial design is the result of Xavier Perrenoud’s exploration of the symbolism behind the Ensō, a complex concept in Zen Buddhism represented by a circle that embodies the idea of emptiness through form.
The interplay of solid and empty spaces created by the random stops in the guilloché lines, crafted by Georges Brodbeck, invites a philosophical reflection on the balance of elements. Inspired by this spiritual concept and the curves and light play of the museum’s architecture, the 50th Anniversary Edition dial is made of silver. Each guilloché line, arranged in a graceful arc, is the result of a confident and precise movement, yet its placement is a free interpretation of the artisan hand’, making every piece unique. These timeless curved forms echo the elegant, ovoid silhouettes of the museum’s characteristic showcases.
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Partners
The first MIH Gaïa watch was created in 2019 through the close collaboration of artisans and companies from La Chaux-de-Fonds, all experts in their field and renowned worldwide for the quality of their work. Winiger Horloger and the Timeforge office were responsible for its design and technical plans.
For the 2024 edition, XJC reimagined and redesigned the watch; Sellita brought it to life with its movement; Singer produced its dial. Positive Coating added color to the MIH Gaïa III series using ALD technology, and Georges Brodbeck engraved the 50 silver dials of the special anniversary edition; Stila provided a custom-made case; Brasport adorned it with an apple leather strap; Cornu & Cie crafted the clasp, and the Dubois Laboratory contributed to its reliability by conducting a series of tests. In partnership with MIH and the artisans from its antique watch restoration workshop, each of these experts worked tirelessly to create a watch that is aesthetic, high-performing, and truly unique.
Established in tribute to one of the museum’s first patrons, Maurice Ditisheim, who was the Chairman of the Board of the Bureau de Contrôle des Ouvrages en Métaux Précieux, the Gaïa Prize has been awarded since 1993 by the International Watchmaking Museum and, by extension, the City of La Chaux-de-Fonds. This prestigious award is presented to individuals from the industry, artisans, historians, researchers, and scientists. It symbolizes the recognition by peers of the spiritual heirs of the watchmaking culture that permeates the museum’s collections.
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The current building of the International Watchmaking Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds is the result of a collaborative effort between Zurich architect Pierre Zoelly and local architect George-J. Haefeli. Completed in 1974, this semi-underground structure was designed to securely house the watchmaking heritage while blending seamlessly with the museum park. A combination of concrete and brick, the architecture merges brutalism and terratecture to offer visitors a unique troglodyte experience.
Internationally recognized for its architectural quality, the MIH received the Béton Prize in 1977, the Cembureau Prize in 1978, and was named European Museum of the Year in 1978.
