The Biennale des Antiquaires In Paris To Host “The Mastery of Time Exhibition” From September 10 – 18.

By Adrienne Faurote September 6, 2016

Watch lovers rejoice! The Grand Palais is getting ready to welcome visitors to the 28th Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris, France from September 10 to 18, with some major changes in sight. Known by art lovers all over the world for more than half a century, the selection of exhibitors has been made this year, for the first time, by the Biennial Committee — an international committee of fifteen members, including members of the board of the SNA (National Syndicate of Antiquities), curators, art historians and collectors. The final list comprises 125 exhibitors from 14 countries including 41 returning international galleries, the integration of the “Paris Tableau salon” bringing back Old Masters paintings, and four haute jewellers.

Right Beta 21 wristwatch, FAR, 1970. Musée International de l’Horlogerie (MIH), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland — Right Beta 21 wristwatch, FAR, 1970.
Musée International de l’Horlogerie (MIH), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

Also for the first time, the Biennale has invited three major institutions for three special exhibitions: the St. Petersburg State Hermitage Museum for “A Century of French Elegance”; the Paris-based Le Mobilier National, for a “Tribute to the Mobilier National: Tradition & Audace”, and, for horological aficionados, the Geneva-based La Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, with “The Mastery of Time”.

Portable sundial, Pierre LeMaire, Paris, early 18th CENTURY. Musée International de l’Horlogerie (MIH), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland — Portable sundial, Pierre LeMaire, Paris,
early 18th CENTURY.
Musée International de l’Horlogerie (MIH), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

This special focus on timepieces will include a thematic exhibition illustrating the history of watchmaking and time measurement from its origins to the present day, with some one hundred clocks and watches on loan from the Foundation’s 26 partner brands to illustrate the milestones in timekeeping. Inspired by historian Dominique Flechon’s book “The Mastery of Time” (published by Flammarion), the exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the history of time measurement, from early sundials to modern mechanisms.

Rubidium atomic clock , Temex Neuchâtel Time S.A., 1995. Collection of Musée d'Horlogerie du Locle - Château des Monts, Le Locle, Switzerland — Rubidium atomic clock , Temex
Neuchâtel Time S.A., 1995.
Collection of Musée d’Horlogerie du Locle – Château des Monts, Le Locle, Switzerland

Visitors will also be able to interact with master craftsmen demonstrating their métiers d’art, and enjoy a virtual reality experience to try out exceptional timepieces in their historical context, such as using a marine chronometer on the China Sea aboard the Cutty Sark, and discovering the importance of universal time on the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive!

Convertible BRACELET WATCH, Waltham , USA, 1910. Musée International de l’Horlogerie (MIH), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland — Convertible BRACELET WATCH,
Waltham , USA, 1910.
Musée International de l’Horlogerie (MIH), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

As of 2017 the Biennale des Antiquaires will become an annual event.

Open to the public from September 10 – 18, Monday to Sunday 11 am – 8 pm.
Thursday September 15 from 11 am – 11 pm.
And for the first time, on the traditional special guests and press day, 500 invitations are available for the public on the on-line shop, for private viewing on September 9.
Full admission EUR35.

Further information on:
info@hautehorlogerie.org
www.biennale-paris.com/fr