The largest time-measurement museum in the world, the Musée International d’Horlogerie (MIH) is located in the heart of Switzerland’s watchmaking region, so its fundraising project announced two years ago took an unsurprising form – a limited-edition watch.

Inspired by the brutalist museum building and produced entirely by local suppliers, the watch sold out quickly. Now the museum has announced the MIH Gaïa Series II, which will once again go towards funding the restoration of one of its prized exhibits.

Initial thoughts

I liked the original MIH Gaïa watch (enough to buy the very first one). The new edition has all of the features of the first – they are essentially the same, so it will have the same appeal.

Even after more than a year, the watch still feels novel on the wrist. I’m pleased with mine in blue, but I do like the black dial, especially in how it matches the case.

Given the quality-price ratio and the fact that proceeds go towards an important watch museum, this is a compelling, worthwhile buy.

Edition noire

The Series II is identical to the original run, save for the dial colour. While the first edition was dark blue, this has a black dial with a subtle radial brushing.

Produced by the same suppliers responsible for the first edition – nearly all of them in the museum’s hometown – the watch has a 39 mm steel case with angular lugs and a simple but unusual display where both the hours and minutes and indicated by rotating discs.

A narrow window on the back reveals part of the balance wheel

The Series II is not a limited edition, but the watches will be sequentially numbered, with an initial run of only 75 examples.

Proceeds from the sale of the 75 watches will fund the restoration of the Tellurium built by François Ducommun. It’s an astronomical clock built in the early 19th century, showing the orbits of Earth, Moon, and Sun in real time.

The Tellurium by Ducommun

Key facts and price

MIH Gaïa Series II

Diameter: 39 mm
Height: 9.74 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 3 0m

Movement: Sellita SW400-1
Functions: Hours and minutes
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Calfskin with steel pin buckle

Limited edition: No, but initial run will be 75 pieces
Availability: Direct from MIH, with delivery from November 2021
Price: 2,900 Swiss francs before taxes

For more, visit Montremih.ch.