The MIH Gaïa watch
The International watchmaking museum presents its new creations: the MIH Gaïa III timepiece and the special 50th anniversary series. In partnership with local artisans, both models feature unique dials.
The MIH Gaïa Series III watch is limited to 100 numbered pieces, with colourful POSITIVE COATING dials inspired by brutalist architecture. The special 50th anniversary edition is limited to 50 unique and numbered pieces, featuring hand-guilloché decoration by the renowned Georges Brodbeck, winner of the 2023 Gaïa Prize.
Inspired by the two previous series with a renewed design by XJC / Xavier Perrenoud, these models were developed within the MIH restoration workshop and crafted with the help of renowned artisans and companies from the La Chaux-de-Fonds region.
The purpose of these editions is to fund preservation and enhancement actions for the collections housed by the International watchmaking museum. This fundraising initiative highlights the expertise of an entire region that MIH brings together around this large-scale project.
MIH Gaïa Series III
This limited and numbered series of 100 pieces features a blue finish, the institutional color of the MIH. The dials are colored by POSITIVE COATING, a company specializing in surface treatments. The combination of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) technologies ensures a stable and homogeneous coating. The patterns on these celestial blue dials are inspired by the visible formwork marks on the MIH’s concrete walls. These parallel and perpendicular lines also evoke the Brutalism of the structure with its right angles.
Each watch is paired with an original numbered and signed serigraph by Xavier Perrenoud.
Montre MIH Gaïa – Série 50e anniversaire
This limited and numbered series of 50 pieces celebrates the museum’s jubilee. The dial’s design is the result of Xavier Perrenoud’s reflection on the symbolism of the Ensō, a complex concept in Zen Buddhism represented by a circle that expresses the void through a form. The interplay of solids and voids created by the random stops of the guilloché lines by Georges Brodbeck invites philosophical reflection on the balance of elements. Inspired by this spiritual notion and the play of curves and light in the structure, the 50th anniversary series dial is made of silver. Each guilloché line, arranged in an arc, is the result of a confident and precise gesture, yet its arrangement is free, making each piece unique. These timeless curved forms recall the elegant silhouettes of the museum’s characteristic ovoid showcases.
Each watch is paired with an original numbered and signed serigraph by Xavier Perrenoud.
Why Purchase an MIH Gaïa Watch?
Because you like it! Also because it embodies the values of the museum and the Gaïa Prize. With this finely crafted timepiece from La Chaux-de-Fonds, the MIH demonstrates a dual ambition: to raise public awareness about the preservation of horological heritage by funding various projects related to the restoration, documentation, and enhancement of the museum’s collection, while also highlighting regional watchmaking expertise.
The funds raised from the MIH Gaïa Series III and the Special 50th Anniversary Series watches will notably help finance the redesign of the permanent exhibition pathways. This ambitious project aims to renew the museum’s scenography to offer all visitors an exceptional experience in contact with masterpieces of horological heritage.
By acquiring one of these two new editions, you contribute to the preservation and conservation of a material and immaterial heritage of international significance and help to promote watchmaking expertise.
Partners
Regional partners and experts in their fields have enthusiastically responded to the MIH’s call to implement a unique project aimed at preserving and enhancing horological heritage. These artisans, primarily based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, have proudly contributed their technical expertise to various aspects of the watch, resulting in a product of remarkable quality.
- XJC / Xavier Perrenoud
- Brasport SA
- Cornu & Cie
- Jean Singer & Cie
- POSITIVE COATING
- Georges Brodbeck
- Laboratoire Dubois
- Sellita Watch Co
- Stila SA
We talk about us
- 21.09.2019 – quillandpad.com
New MIH Gaïa Series I Watch: Surprising In Its Use Of Brutalist Design
> read the article - 19.09.19 – www.ablogtowatch.com
Montre MIH Gaïa From Musée d’Horlogerie in La Chaux-De-Fonds
> read the article
- 18.09.2019 – www.acquiremag.com
MIH wants to preserve horological history with their Gaïa watch
>read the article - 17.09.2019 – www.watchonista.com
La montre MIH Gaïa pour préserver les savoir-faire horlogers locaux
> read the article - 2019.09.17 – watchesbysjx.com
Introducing the MIH Gaïa Watch
Affordable, clean, and for a good cause.
> read the article - 17.09.2019 – uhrforum.de
Neue Uhr: MIH Gaïa Watch
> read the article - 17.09.2019 – www.montres-de-luxe.com
Le MIH présente la montre MIH Gaïa… pour la bonne cause !
> read the article - 17.09.2019 – www.rtn.ch
Une montre pour le patrimoine horloger
> read the article - 10.09.2019 – en.worldtempus.com
MIH The winners of the 25TH Prix Gaïa
> read the article
