Heritage pieces are on display at Geneva at the Heart of Time－The Origin of Swiss Watchmaking at Beijing's Capital Museum. (Photo provided to China Daily)
"The exhibition displays the history and excellence of Swiss watchmaking and offers a unique view into the fine watchmaking history in Geneva, the cradle of fine watchmaking for more than three centuries, with a focus on its technical aspects and craftsmanship excellence," Jean-Yves Marin, director of Geneva Museum of Art and History, says.
"Organizers from three institutions combine to use the most suitable approach for Chinese visitors to portray a clear lineage of watchmaking in Geneva," he adds.
For example, five master craftsmen from Geneva, including a watchmaker, an enameller, a gem-setter, an engraver, and a guillocheur, demonstrate traditional techniques during the exhibition.
"Amateur visitors want to see behind the scenes, and that is the difference between quartz watches and manual watches," Juan-Carlos Torres, CEO, Vacheron Constantin, tells China Daily.
The number of watchmakers in Switzerland remains low, but Torres considers it crucial to pass down the techniques. Ten years ago the company had only three watchmakers and apprentices, but now they have 34 professionals.
"The more we grow, the more we have to protect the traditions. It's not a question of size. It's a question of responsibility," he adds. "It's not an exhibition of Vacheron Constantin, but an explaination of how the watchmaking industry started. I understand it's difficult for a museum to be linked to a company, but this time it's about a history represented by a brand."
Although the company wants to maintain a low-profile, this ongoing exhibition reveals the luxury brand's closer relationship with China, especially when Vacheron Constantin has a long connection with China: It made its Chinese market debut in 1845.
Torres emphasizes they will not directly put Chinese elements into their design some limited number of anniversary or Chinese celebration editions were made.
Nevertheless, their involvement with China has gone beyond that.
"Chinese artists are very knowledgeable in aesthetics," Torres says. There are some Chinese designers trained in Geneva, he says. "For example, philosophy is not part of Swiss design, but in China it is. Their different dimensions of thinking will help us."
And, Richemont Group, to which Vacheron Constantin belongs, has established its school in Beijing and Shanghai to train more local expertise in China.
"We have thousands of pieces (of watches) to fix in China every year, so we need stronger watchmakers here."
