Permanent exhibition

The era of the watch – the Oscar Schwank Collection

Logo The era of the watch – the Oscar Schwank Collection
Logo The era of the watch – the Oscar Schwank Collection
Inside the display cabinet containing shaped watches; gold watch with tourbillon, Geneva, 1931/32, signed Patek Philippe & Co.; photos: Michael Lio
The former Kellenberger Clock and Watch Collection gained a remarkable addition at the end of 2012, when Oscar Schwank’s collection of pocket watches arrived in Winterthur with some 220 items, enriching the existing exhibition immensely by covering an important area that had hitherto hardly been represented at all.

Oscar Schwank bought only the best pieces and built up his collection with great care and deliberation. The watches demonstrate both technical expertise and artistic refinement, while at the same time acting as a manifestation of wealth and social status.

Historic treasures from the 16th to the 20th centuries are displayed together in a permanent exhibition which narrates the exciting story of the development of portable timepieces. For example, several of the rare French Revolutionary watches dating from 1793–1795 appear in the collection, bearing witness to the decimal time introduced during the French Revolution. Unusual pocket watches with automatons – some even fitted with musical works – are evidence that portable watches were also toys for the wealthier members of society.

The multimedia exhibitions are aimed at clock and watch enthusiasts and specialists, as well as the wider public.

From watchmaker to passionate collector

From watchmaker to passionate collector
From watchmaker to passionate collector
Gold enamel watch with "kitchen" automaton, Geneva, c. 1820; gold watch with tourbillon, Geneva, 1931/32; photos: Michael Lio

Oscar Schwank (born in 1937) laid the foundations of his exceptional private collection when he purchased his first antique silver watch while working as a young apprentice. Later, he was not only the owner of a watch shop in Zurich, but also a keen collector of antique watches. For many years, the Oscar Schwank Collection was known only to the select few, before going on public display in Winterthur.

To mark the official opening of the Clock & Watch Museum Winterthur in November 2017, Oscar Schwank rounded out the collection with a rare pocket watch with tourbillon from the firm of Patek Philippe. Only 350 or so examples of this outstanding model, which was manufactured around 1925, were ever produced. With the acquisition of this pocket watch, a gap in the Oscar Schwank Collection was filled.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE OSCAR SCHWANK COLLECTION

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA PROFESSIONALS

Media information and high resolution media image files may be downloaded from our website. Media information is available in German only.

We would be glad to receive a printed copy of your report or a link to your online article about the Clock & Watch Museum Winterthur. 

Thank you!

Brigitte Vinzens
Curator Clock & Watch Museum Winterthur

+41 (0)52 267 51 36 / 28

Patrons’ Association of the Clock & Watch Museum Winterthur

The Patrons’ Association of the Clock & Watch Museum Winterthur helps finance the further expansion of the collections. It also organizes functions to raise awareness of the Clock & Watch Museum Winterthur and arranges social and cultural events for its members. The Association is a not-for-profit group.

Stay informed

We will gladly send you information about our exhibitions and events by post. Please send your name and full address to uhrenmuseum@win.ch

Logo Stadt Winterthur
Contact

Uhrenmuseum Winterthur
Kirchplatz 14
CH-8400 Winterthur

Open in Google Maps

uhrenmuseum@win.ch
+41 (0)52 267 51 36 / 28