Patek Philippe Museum

The basics

The Patek Philippe Museum (Musée Patek Philippe), founded in 2001, celebrates the beauty and mechanical ingenuity of some of the world's most stunning timepieces, antique automata, and intricately painted enamel miniatures. Many city tours pass through the chic and bohemian Plainpalais neighborhood where the museum is located.

Things to know before you go

• The Patek Philippe Museum is a must-visit for watch and design enthusiasts and history buffs.
• If you wear glasses, bring them along, since many of the collection objects are small and very detailed. 
• Make sure to see the Caliber 89—the most complicated timepiece ever produced.
• The museum hosts public tours every Saturday in French and English.
• Private tours are a great choice for watch enthusiasts but must be booked in advance.
• Admission for kids under age 18 is free.

How to get there

The centrally located Patek Philippe Museum is easily accessed by bus or tram. To take the bus, hop on the #1 or 4 and get off at the Ecole-de-Médecine stop. For tram transportation, ride the #12 or 15 trams to the Plainpalais stop. The museum is located a short walk from the stop, just across the Plaine de Plainpalais, at 7 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers.

When to get there

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 2pm to 6pm and on Saturday from 10am to 6pm. The museum is closed on Sunday, Monday, and Swiss bank holidays. The museum is busiest on Saturday afternoons; Tuesday and Wednesdays are the ideal days to visit to avoid crowds.

Planning a museum day in Geneva

The Patek Philippe Museum is situated in a neighborhood packed with cultural institutions. Nearby, travelers find the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCO), Contemporary Art Center, and Geneva's photography center (Centre de la Photographie Genève). Since each of these institutions are within blocks of the Patek Philippe Museum, you can enjoy a museum-packed afternoon without traveling around the city.