World Watch Day 2026: Watchmaking as a Living Cultural Heritage
On October 10, 2026, World Watch Day will return for the second time. Under the theme “Time as Living Heritage,” the international initiative highlights watchmaking as a living cultural heritage—and explores how artisanal knowledge, technical expertise, and cultural significance can be passed on to future generations.
Museums, manufacturers, watchmaking schools, cultural institutions, collectors, and media outlets are participating in this initiative with events in Europe, Asia, and the United States. The program ranges from exhibitions and workshop visits to lectures, educational programs, and digital projects.
Why October 10 Is a Day for Watchmaking
The date was chosen deliberately. The notation 10/10 or 10. 10. refers to the time 10:10 a.m., when the hour and minute hands form the typical symmetrical position seen in many product photos—the “smile of the watch.” World Watch Day turns this date into a shared event for the international watch community.
According to the organizers, the first edition reached more than six million people. In 2026, the event is expected not only to be larger, but also to focus more closely on the people and institutions that preserve, share, and advance watchmaking knowledge.
A program from Geneva to New York
In Switzerland, watchmaking is being explored from various perspectives. The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva is planning a morning gathering featuring discussions. In Sainte-Croix, MuMAPS and the Association Mec-Art are hosting a panel discussion. The Watch Museum in Le Locle is offering a workshop on the restoration and regulation of mechanical watches.
WOSTEP will also be participating with special content at 10:10 a.m. In the Vallée de Joux, the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet will open its doors for a special tour. This event brings together historical collections, hands-on training, and the present-day reality of a watchmaking manufactory.
Internationally, the program extends even further. In Shanghai, the “Sundial” project will be presented at 33 The Bund. The Museo Galileo in Florence is preparing digital content from the Ruscitti Collection, while an event in Paris will explore the heritage of watchmaking through a series of lectures. In Osaka, the focus is on astronomy, physics, and watchmaking; in New York, the Horological Society of New York is opening its library and classrooms to the public.
Watchmaking as Knowledge Passed Down Through Generations
The concept of “living cultural heritage” is particularly apt for watchmaking. It refers not only to historical objects or museum collections, but also to skills, working methods, and experiences that are practiced, taught, and further developed by people.
World Watch Day therefore brings together major institutions with independent watchmakers, schools, and local initiatives. It is precisely this mix that highlights the fact that mechanical timekeeping is about more than just products. It is based on a network of education, craftsmanship, research, restoration, and cultural outreach.
10:10 a.m. as a shared moment
On October 10 at 10:10 a.m., the Watch Lovers Worldwide initiative invites people around the globe to share photos of their watches using the hashtag #WorldWatchDay. What begins as a familiar portrayal of the industry thus becomes a shared moment that connects different places, people, watches, and generations.
The full program has been available on the World Watch Day website since September 10 and will continue to be updated until the day of the event. The second edition already demonstrates the strength of this format: watchmaking is understood as a cultural practice that can only remain alive if knowledge and passion are shared and passed on.
