World Watch Day 2026: Time as Living Heritage
The second annual World Watch Day, celebrated on October 10, focused on "Time as Living Heritage" and highlighted the preservation of traditional watchmaking and mechanical art skills in Sainte-Croix. The event featured a round-table discussion with industry figures discussing the importance of passing down these crafts to future generations.
World Watch Day is celebrated annually on October 10, referencing the "10:10" depiction of watch hands.
This year's theme, "Time as Living Heritage", focused on the people and skills involved in watchmaking and mechanical arts in Sainte-Croix.
The round-table discussion included De Bethune co-founder Denis Flageollet, automaton maker François Junod, watchmaker Vianney Halter, The 1916 Company’s Tim Mosso, and Karin Alexandrian of the Musée des Arts et Métiers.
The event was organized by Association Mec-Art and the Musée de la Mécanique d’Art et du Patrimoine de Sainte-Croix (MuMAPS).
The skills preserved extend beyond watches to include music boxes, mechanical singing birds, and automata.
Association Mec-Art aims to keep skills alive through creative projects and practical courses, while MuMAPS serves as the local museum for mechanical art.