The Geneva at the Heart of Time – The Origin of Swiss Rolex replica Watchmaking Culture exhibition is on display at the Capital Museum in China for four months. Over 500,000 visitors are expected.
This is without doubt the largest exhibition devoted to Swiss watchmaking ever displayed in China. Beijing’s Capital Museum (museum of Chinese art and craftsmanship) is hosting an exhibition spanning 1,300 m2 that retraces the major points in the history of Genevan watchmaking. In total, 350 pieces (watches, clocks, drawings, tools, etc.) have been chosen by Geneva’s Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (MAH), Vacheron Constantin and the Capital Museum for display in this temple of Chinese expertise. In addition to objects that have played a significant role in the history of Genevan watchmaking, a life-size reconstruction of an 18th-century Genevan cabinotier workshop is attracting particular attention from visitors, who are also fascinated by the Vacheron Constantin artisans (watchmaker, gem-setter, engraver, guillocheur and enameller) who periodically demonstrate their skills at the heart of the exhibition, revealing several aspects of their trade to an extremely attentive Chinese audience.
Until August 12 (the exhibition opened on April 24), the (mostly Chinese) visitors can discover the beginnings of Genevan Rolex fake watchmaking, the way in which Calvin unintentionally boosted its development, and all the significant steps that enabled a now world-renowned industry to become established in a small corner of Switzerland. Watchmaking is now Switzerland’s third biggest export industry and directly generates over 50,000 jobs.
The exhibition is intended to strengthen ties between China and Switzerland, and falls within the framework of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Switzerland was actually one of the first countries to recognize the newly established People’s Republic of China (on January 17, 1950)—a detail that Jean-Jacques de Dardel, Swiss ambassador to China, was keen to point out at the exhibition’s opening ceremony. He also highlighted the important role watchmaking plays in Switzerland’s image and reputation in China.
A unique opportunity
It’s also perfect timing for Vacheron Constantin, as this year the Genevan Manufacture is celebrating its 260th anniversary and 170 years of sales in China, a country in which it now occupies a coveted place among fine Omega fake watchmaking brands.
Delighted to be hosting an exhibition dedicated to crafts that are highly appreciated in China, the management team of the Capital Museum (which receives almost 10,000 visitors on peak days) is expecting between 500,000 and 1,000,000 visitors to the temporary exhibition. The first few weeks of the exhibition—which notably included the May 1 public holidays that attracted millions of tourists to Beijing—lived up to expectations.
For Juan-Carlos Torres, CEO of Vacheron Constantin, “this exhibition in this iconic location is a unique opportunity to inform the Chinese public—who are very fond of Swiss watches—about the beginnings and history of this industry in Geneva, and in Switzerland as a whole. The several major pieces on display against an eminently cultural backdrop imbue the exhibition with a touch of the exceptional. The Vacheron Constantin Manufacture is proud to be associated with this event.”
Estelle Fallet, custodian of MAH’s watchmaking collections and curator of the exhibition, is delighted to have been able to rally the Swiss and Chinese museum teams as well as Vacheron Constantin to her cause. After four years of negotiation and preparation, the result seems to measure up to the questions and expectations of Chinese best Rolex fake watches lovers.
In this context and to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, a unique work of art has been jointly produced by Swiss designer Claudio Colucci and Chinese master bronze sculptor Zhu Bingren. The bronze and enamel sculpture, named The Power of Hands, was gifted to the Capital Museum by Vacheron Constantin.
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