Beyer Clock and Watch Museum (Uhrenmuseum Beyer), Zurich

Location

Zurich, Switzerland

Address

Bahnhofstrasse 31, 8001 Zurich

Opened

1971

Type

Museum

Official website ↗

History of the museum

The museum belongs to Beyer, a Zurich family business of watchmakers and jewelers. According to the company, historic documents from 1760 first mention a watchmaker called Beyer, Matthäus Beyer in Donaueschingen. Around 1830 Stephan Beyer opened a watchmaker's and spice shop in Feuerthalen in the canton of Zurich. The company is now run by the eighth generation, Muriel Zahn-Beyer and René Beyer, who took over in 1996.

In 1971, when the Bahnhofstrasse premises were fully renovated, the family opened a Museum of Timekeeping, later renamed the Beyer Clock and Watch Museum Zurich. Its core collection was acquired during the lifetime of Theodor "Teddy" Beyer, a pioneer in collecting antique timekeepers. The museum is now preparing to move to the Mühle Tiefenbrunnen cultural complex.

What you can see

More than 250 objects are shown in six niches and numerous showcases, tracing timekeeping from sundials and shadow sticks of ancient Egypt to modern quartz clocks. The display includes pre-mechanical timekeepers such as sandglasses, water clocks and fire clocks, curiosities, automata, pocket watches, planetarium table clocks, porcelain clocks, marine chronometers and complicated wristwatches. Pieces named by the museum and in reference sources include:

• An Egyptian water clock from around 1400 BC.
• A pocket-sized astronomical compendium by Christoph Schissler, Augsburg, around 1582.
• A late Renaissance watch with rock crystal cover by Daniel Scheyrer, Vienna, around 1650.
• A Louis XIV Neuchâtel pendule by Josué Robert, La Chaux-de-Fonds, around 1720.
• A Breguet pendule sympathique and an early marine chronometer by Ferdinand Berthoud.
• Several bespoke late-20th-century watches by George Daniels.
• Zurich-made clocks and watches by makers such as Bachoffner, Liechti and Ochsner.

The museum also stages changing special exhibitions and lends pieces to other institutions, so individual objects may not always be on view. iPad guides are available in six languages.

Why it matters for watch collectors

The Beyer museum offers a compact overview of the whole history of timekeeping in one visit. Seeing a Renaissance watch, a Berthoud marine chronometer and a George Daniels watch side by side helps place modern complications in context. Its regional pieces, from Zurich makers to the Neuchâtel pendule, document Swiss traditions that brand museums rarely show.

Visiting

As of 2026 the museum is at Bahnhofstrasse 31, 8001 Zurich, in the basement of the Beyer store. Bahnhofstrasse runs from Zurich main station to Lake Zurich, and trams 7, 11 and 13 serve its northern section.

• Opening hours (as of 2026): Monday to Friday 2:00–6:00 pm, open through October 30, 2026; the museum then closes for the move.
• New location: reopening expected in fall 2027 at the Mühle Tiefenbrunnen cultural complex, Seefeldstrasse 229, 8008 Zurich.
• Admission (as of 2026): children up to 12 and ZürichCARD holders free; tickets are sold online.
• Guided tours: about 60 minutes, CHF 150 per group plus admission (as of 2026); groups of eight or more register by email.

Check the official Beyer website for the reopening date and current ticket prices.

Opening hours, prices and exhibitions change. Please check the official website before your visit.

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