{"id":36731,"date":"2021-09-16T17:52:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T15:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montremih.ch\/?page_id=36731"},"modified":"2025-10-28T12:37:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T11:37:40","slug":"mih-gaia-watch-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/montremih.ch\/en\/mih-gaia-watch-2\/","title":{"rendered":"MIH Ga\u00efa watch"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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MIH Ga\u00efa watch<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A Project with Long-Term Vision<\/h1>\n

Nearly 20 years after creating its first watch in 2005, and on the occasion of the half-century anniversary of its building, the MIH wished to celebrate this exceptional milestone by highlighting the artisanal and innovative craftsmanship of the watchmaking sector.<\/p>\n

In the tradition of the previous two series, the MIH Ga\u00efa III and the 50th Anniversary Series maintain a design that is both classic and original, combining high-end finishes with accessible pricing. Following the favourable success of the first two models, the MIH renewed its partnerships with the best manufacturers and watchmakers in the region. The museum leveraged their support to create a functional prototype overseen by the internal restoration workshop, which assembled, tested, and ensured the technical verification of all elements while engaging two new partners to produce remarkable dials.<\/p>\n

This network of expertise reflects a historical production system of Swiss watchmaking that the MIH aims to bring to the public’s attention.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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MIH Ga\u00efa, an Inspired Creation<\/h1>\n

The design of the MIH Ga\u00efa watch draws inspiration from the concrete structure and architecture of the museum. Manufactured in the hometown of Le Corbusier, the timepiece shares many similarities with the Brutalist movement. The sharp, raw, and minimalist reliefs of the building are reflected in the watch’s lugs and dial, combining rectangles and circles. The watch also draws from the architectural interplay of void and solid: the hour, indicated on a rotating disc, is displayed through a window at the top of the dial, and the minutes are marked by an aperture in a domed disc\u2014 a reference to the Ga\u00efa trophy\u2014 in rotation. On the back of the case, the oscillating weight reveals a message, nodding to the underground structure that gradually unveils its many treasures during a visit. The MIH logo is subtly engraved on the crown, and the museum’s geographical coordinates are featured on the buckle of the strap.<\/p>\n

The cases of the two new editions of the watch feature a reworked aesthetic, blending curves and straight lines, reminiscent of the Brutalist MIH building. The dials of these new editions are inspired by various architectural elements to create unique and innovative visuals. The straight lines on the dial of the MIH Ga\u00efa Series III recall the angles of the structure and the visible intersections of the formwork. The chosen blue color also echoes the first MIH watch model and the museum’s institutional colors.<\/p>\n

The arched lines of the dial guilloch\u00e9 by Georges Brodbeck evoke the interplay of curves, rhythm, and light created by the architecture. The pure silver material reflects the raw materiality of concrete.<\/p>\n

Unconventional yet understated, gender-neutral and timeless, the MIH Ga\u00efa watch proudly embodies the complementarity between industry and craftsmanship.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout the Ga\u00efa Prize<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Two New Models<\/span>
\nfor the Building’s Half-Century Anniversary<\/span><\/h1>\n

For this exceptional anniversary, the MIH unveils not one, <\/span>
\nbut two new models of its timepiece.<\/span><\/p>\n

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MIH Ga\u00efa Series III<\/h1>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Each watch is paired with an original numbered and signed serigraph by Xavier Perrenoud.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Serigraphie_50e_accueil\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"16878\"<\/figure><\/div>
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\"Serigraphie_02_accueil\"<\/figure><\/div>
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\"guillochage-accueil\"<\/figure><\/div>
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50th Anniversary Edition<\/h1>\n

This limited and numbered series of 50 pieces celebrates the museum’s jubilee. The silver dial’s design is the result of Xavier Perrenoud’s reflection on the symbolism of the Ens\u014d, 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 guilloch\u00e9 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 guilloch\u00e9 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.<\/p>\n

Each watch is paired with an original numbered and signed serigraph by Xavier Perrenoud.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A few words from the curators<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The MIH Ga\u00efa watch is…<\/h1>\n

a watch that exemplifies our ambition to raise the MIH\u2019s profile through an iconic object which embodies our identity and values;
\na watch that is the product of collaboration between artisans and businesses based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and that truly showcases the exceptional individuals and skills we have in this city;
\na watch that bears the name MIH Ga\u00efa, in tribute to the Ga\u00efa Prize which the MIH has been awarding since 1993 to those who have devoted their careers to measuring time, be they artisans, researchers or entrepreneurs;<\/p>\n

a watch that pursues two aims:<\/h1>\n

\u2013 to promote the MIH and thus the preservation and enhancement of horological heritage in the broadest sense,<\/p>\n

\u2013 to allow the funding of one-of-a-kind restoration, documentation and research projects for the MIH\u2019s unique collection with the profits generated.<\/p>\n

Our thanks to all those who have been involved in this ambitious project; we are proud that today we are able to present to the public a key milestone towards making it a reality.<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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R\u00e9gis Huguenin
\nCurator<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Nathalie Marielloni
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Technical specifications<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t> Serie III<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t