http://www.beyer-ch.com/en/museum/portrait-museum.html
On Wednesday 16 November, another large group of ZIWA's Swinging Sixties met at Paradeplatz in Zurich to go on a tour of discovery of the nearby Beyer Clock Museum. There are signs to the museum all down the famous Bahnhofstrasse, but how many people had been inside the store made prominent by the enormous pocket watch outside? Once again, chairlady Vreni had laid on a fascinating morning for us.
Inside the small premises, we were divided into two groups and welcomed by our guides, Monika Winkler and Beatriz Bretschergartner. One group went downstairs to see the collection of antique timepieces while the others headed upstairs to see some of the gorgeous jewellery that we might aspire to own. In 1971, Theodor Beyer founded the family business and opened his collection to the public. We learnt that the history of timepieces dates back to 1400 BC, with the invention of dials, water and fire clocks. An early timepiece was the sundial which utilises a shadow stick to display light and dark. And the Sumerians were even able to measure time in steps as early as 2000 BC. The first sundials were known to exist in 200 BC; but the earliest clock in the Beyer collection was a copy of a water clock dating back to 1140 BC, which had 12 time gaps marked.
The Greeks refined the timepiece which was important at court; and we still say that 'time has run out' thanks to a sand timer. Wax candles were used in the ninth century but were expensive to make, and hourglasses were popular in the 13th century. The museum also features an early European mechanical clock dating from 1532. Monasteries and ships all needed to have reliable timepieces, and the sun and sand have both been popular for measuring the passage of time.
In the 17th century, clocks for the home became popular status symbols, with the mechanics utilising a folio and balance wheel or a pendulum. Then portable clocks became the rage, with clocks for the table and watches to attach to one's clothing as a fashion accessory. The museum has many splendid examples of clocks and watches from Theodor Beyer's private collection. Switzerland became famous as a maker of beautiful and reliable timepieces. However, when Japan developed the quartz watch, they could now beat the Swiss on price, but the Swatch remains ever-popular.
After this fascinating glimpse into the history of clocks and watches, we went upstairs to see and handle the other side of the Beyer business, its precious stones and diamond rings. There is a workshop on the premises, where diamonds, sapphires and emeralds from Africa or South America are fashioned into very expensive jewellery. Under the eyes of a security guard, we were able to try on a Madagascan sapphire ring and to hear how diamonds are given a unique number by laser. Rings of emerald, garnet, citrine and beryl are fashioned and sold here, and everyone had the chance for a few minutes to choose their dream item.
Afterwards we walked the short distance to the newly opened Moevenpick 20/20 restaurant for a very pleasant lunch. Thanks once again to Vreni for arranging this fascinating morning.
See also this link: https://www.moevenpick-wein.com/de/weinkeller/20-20-by-moevenpick-wein-restaurant.html
Julia Newton, 21 November 2016.
