For centuries Geneva has been the capital of time, the past and present, with many watch brands based here.
Geneva is a city with a very long history, indeed Julius Caesar left his mark here 2,000 years ago. It has always been a cosmopolitan capital with an international soul. It has received the accolade of city with the best quality of life in the world on several occasions, alongside Zurich. It has an air of humanity, and is a longstanding symbol of peace.
It is a state-of-the-art city, hosting the CERN research centre, is a financial and economic hub, and has forged important ties with international institutions and the UN headquarters in Europe. It has managed to maintain its independence and be a symbol of the human rights convention, hosting organisations such as the Red Cross.
For centuries it has also been the capital of time, the past and present, with over 50 brands of watches based here. The city hosts the most important international watch exhibition (SIHH) in January.
This is the heart of luxury watchmaking, promoting the “Poinçon de Genève” which for centuries has strictly authenticated watch brands and the art of timepieces made in Geneva, certifying their exceptional quality. Another time-keeping event in the city is the famous Watch Tour, stopping off at iconic locations to focus on the highlights of the art of time that has accurately recorded the end of the old day and start of the new one, in a metaphor in which these ingenious devices mark the time of life going by.
Here you have to see the CADRAN SOLEIL, the dial given to the city by Gübelin that displays the time of day as well as the equation of time: the difference between solar time and mean time. The clever play of light and shadow also makes it possible to read the date and indicates the height of the sun.
You can admire the Flower Clock (1955), which consists of 6,500 flowers divided into eight concentric circles that change with the seasons. It has the longest second hand in the world, at 2.50 meters. You can also visit the Patek Philippe Museum, displaying some of the most important reference books in the world, and having a large bookstore.
The best-known symbol of the city is Jea, the famous Jet d’Eau Fountain located on the city’s picturesque lake. Its impressive jet of water reaches a height of 90 metres. There is a breathtaking and undisturbed view of the lake and glorious mountains in the distance from one of the splendid balconies of the Hotel d’Angleterre, where you can enjoy a panoramic breakfast overlooking the lake, or a fantastic dinner in good company at the restaurant, surrounded by exquisite art and design in a picturesque lakeside setting.
For more information please contact:
TOURISM GENEVE
WATCH TOUR
HOTEL D’ANGLETERRE
