The 2016 edition of the Biennale des Antiquaires offers a beautiful surprise to the watch lovers visitors with the exhibition dedicated to the Mastery of Time organized by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. Following a chronological rule, the exhibition respects the structure of the book written
The 2016 edition of the Biennale des Antiquaires offers a beautiful surprise to the watch lovers visitors with the exhibition dedicated to the Mastery of Time organized by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. Following a chronological rule, the exhibition respects the structure of the book written by Dominique Fléchon and allows us to browse the essential steps of progress in the measurement of time. From the sundial to the atomic clock, every window of the exhibition features pieces which are the right representatives of the period in which they belong without forgetting the both technical and aesthetic trends of contemporary watchmaking.
I highly recommend the visit of this exhibition for several reasons:
- organized in the context of the Biennale, it takes place in one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris, the Grand Palais. It also gives the opportunity to visit during the same day the stands of the prestigious antique dealers of the event and to discover artpieces and furniture of a great artistic interest.
- every day, several representatives of watchmaking trades gather in the central area of ​​the exhibition: watchmakers, engravers, setters etc ... from prestigious brands which are partners with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. When we meet these artists, enjoy the mastery of their gestures, share with them their passion, we always experience a lot of pleasure.
- the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie had the excellent idea of ​​offering a virtual reality experience. This experience was not chosen randomly. It helps to understand the reasons why the improvement of the measurement of time was mandatory. Come aboard the Cutty Sark and you will understand the key role played by the marine chronometer for a safe navigation. Or operate the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive and handle the pocket watch to safely reach the arrival station. The development of land and sea transport was a major factor in the technical development of watchmaking and therefore in the accuracy of the measurement of time. This virtual reality experience is fun and exciting.
Do not miss it.
- finally, some pieces of the exhibition are exceptional or remind us the first steps of the brands as we know them today. I am particularly thinking about the Cartier Tank whose pieces displayed at the exhibition continue to inspire the design of watches created a century later.
Here are some pictures taken during my visit and I hope they make you want to visit the Grand Palais. But don't lose time! The Biennale des Antiquaires closes its doors on the 18th of September!
The magical setting of the Grand Palais:
The area dedicated to the exhibition:
The Piaget engraver at work:
These demonstration pieces are excellent proof to assess the precision and control of his gestures:
He was wearing a pink gold Gouverneur. It is a watch that I have always enjoyed since its launch since it subtly plays with the round and the oval shapes:
The watchmaker from Parmigiani working on the PF701 micro-rotor movement (which is actually a Vaucher caliber):
He was wearing a Parmigiani Kalpagraphe which can be easily recognized thanks to its characteristic case shape:
The setter from Cartier preparing the tiny rings to be inserted it into the shapes that adorn the dial of the Ronde Louis Cartier Filigrane Décor Panthères:
The achievement is eye-catching and requires a flawless precision and a perfect execution:
Here are some pieces of the exhibition:
A Bovet pocket watch, circa 1830:
A Cartier Santos-Dumont produced in 1912:
The rubidium atomic clock from Temex Neuchâtel Time SA which was presented in 1995:
The De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon:
Finally, here I am in the steam locomotive ... The photo gives the impression that I look at the screen but "in reality", I pass the head through the window to look around and discover ... a cow on the railroad. A surprising and compelling experience that rightly illustrates the role played by the time measuring instruments in the technological and industrial development of mankind.
A big thank to the Team of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie for his warm welcome during the visit.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2016-09-11 14:39:15 
