Chronométrophilia, derived from the Greek words ‘Chronos’ (the god of time), ‘metro’ (to measure) and ‘philo’ (friend) is the name of the Swiss Association for the History of Timekeeping.
Founded in 1975 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, it has around 500-600 members, including international members.
The bylaws of the organization describe its objectives as: To unite the enthusiasts and collectors of antique and classic timekeepers in an organization created to facilitate contacts and the exchange of scholarly, historic, scientific and artistic information on horology and time measurement. The organization has no commercial or financial goals, and its name may not be used for such purposes.
A Board of Directors of at least nine members is made up collectors, watch- and clockmakers and museum professionals. The current Chairman is Stephan Gagneux from Basel (Switzerland).
The organization publishes a bi-annual, scholarly, richly illustrated magazine of the same name. The cumulative table of content of the past 65 issues contains around 1600 articles by scores of authors in addition to reports of association events, and is available online . Subjects covered include all aspects of timekeeping and timekeepers: historical, artistic, technical, scientific, and sociological, and stretch from antiquity to the present.
The membership unites both collectors and enthusiasts, as well as horological professionals who love the subject. Reflecting a broader trend over the last 35 years the emphasis has gradually shifted from clocks to pocket watches, and more recently also to wristwatches.
Chronométrophilia organizes about five events yearly, all of them bi-lingual (French/German). This includes factory visits, conferences, and visits of museums, temporary exhibitions and sometimes private collections. Every two years there is also an international study tour; most European areas have been toured at least once, and the members fondly recall the magnificent visits to the USA.
The annual membership fee includes two issues of the magazine. Membership is open to anybody; all that is needed is sending a letter or e-mail (optional registration form in French or in German). This website posts contact information, annual program, a calendar of horological events and related information, however in French or German. If you like horology, and want to get inside the relevant workshops and collections, if you are interested to preserve the Swiss horological history you should join Chronométrophilia.
In summary, Chronométrophilia:
Present committee:
Seat and postal address :
Chronométrophilia
P.O. Box 1510
CH-2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds
For more details, select one of following pages:
Last update: 19.07.2010