ABOUT THE HOROPEDIA FOUNDATION

Horopedia Foundation was established and given the status of public interest in February 2023. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Foundation Council comprises Philippe Dufour (President), Dr. Helmut Crott, André Colard, and Marc André Deschoux (founder).

As a non-profit organisation, Horopedia is financed through donations to maintain its impartiality and independence.

The Foundation’s goal is to contribute to the long-term success and visibility of the watch industry by sharing knowledge and highlighting the know-how, the technical and artistic skills accumulated over the years, as well as those currently in development, primarily through video content.

Recognising the importance of developing various horological skills and trades that adhere to the highest industry standards, the Foundation has established the Horological & Cultural Committee. Comprising experts such as watchmakers, professors, and historians, it will aim to support initiatives that preserve the watchmaking heritage and actively contribute to the industry’s future projects.

In addition to its encyclopedic work, the Foundation is currently developing its physical presence with the creation of the Maison des Arts & de la Culture Horlogère (MACH). Located in the heart of Geneva, the MACH will not be a traditional museum, but a vibrant and open center where tradition and innovation come together to shape the future of watchmaking. Its opening is scheduled for the fall of 2026.

The Foundation governs Horopedia.org, the first free online video encyclopedia on watchmaking. The platform was launched in 2022 and quickly gained unanimous support within the community and from the Geneva authorities.

Horopedia.org is an ongoing project. To date, over 100 multilingual documentary films on museums, watchmaking schools, watch tools and components, and the mechanical principles behind their work can be found on the website. To enhance its educational mission, the platform also incorporates visual pedagogic materials to facilitate a better understanding of the information provided. In addition, Horopedia.org features nearly 1,000 pages with detailed definitions of watchmaking terms and historical anecdotes about significant horological inventions.

Horopedia.org meticulously covers all facets of the fascinating horological industry in French, English, and German. It offers detailed definitions of tools and complications, 3D images of movements, and thorough video explanations of component production, their history, and their functions in a watch. A dedicated section of the website lists horological institutions, including schools, museums, and societies in Switzerland and worldwide.

The educational content is accessible to all. It is used by Swiss watchmaking schools but also serves the understanding needs of the general public.

OUR PARTNERS

Horological Society of New York
Chronometrophilia

BLOG

FIRST EDITION OF WORLD WATCH DAY

Oct 23, 2025 | , ,

THE WORLD CELEBRATES THE ART OF TIME – HOROPEDIA FOUNDATION AMONG THE FOUNDING MEMBERSOn 10 October 2025, the first World Watch Day brought together enthusiasts, professionals, and institutions around a shared passion: time itself. Celebrated in more than 25 countries...

THROWBACK TO GWD 2025

Sep 9, 2025 | , ,

HOROPEDIA FOUNDATION AT THE GENEVA WATCH DAYS: A FRUITFUL PARTICIPATIONFrom 4 to 7 September 2025, the Horopedia Foundation took part in the Geneva Watch Days, the unmissable event celebrating watchmaking. This presence provided an opportunity to foster numerous...

HOROPEDIA LAUNCHES THE MACH

Sep 4, 2025 | , ,

THE HOROPEDIA FOUNDATION UNVEILS ITS NEW PROJECT: THE MAISON DES ARTS & DE LA CULTURE HORLOGÈRE (MACH)The watchmaking crossroads in Geneva will come to life with the Maison des Arts & de la Culture Horlogère, scheduled to open in 2026. This emblematic venue,...