In order to mark the spiral hairspring’s 350th anniversary and celebrate its inventor Christiaan Huygens, Japanese watch retailer Shellman presents a two-week exhibition event in Tokyo titled The Origins of Time = Astronomy.

Opening November 19th and slated to run through December 2nd, the Shellman exhibit is a collaboration with the Musée International d’Horlogerie (MIH) in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and showcases the larger extent of Huygens work, from horology to optical observation devices.

Themed around the Dutch scientist credited with building the first pendulum clock and with inventing the hairspring, the exhibit also explores larger fields of horology, with a focus on astronomy and modern independent watchmaking.

Original drawings showing early attempts at making a sprung balance.

Beyond his practical applications in horology, Christiaan Huygens (1629 – 1695) left marks on many other scientific fields, from geometry to physics and astronomy. He notably discovered Saturn’s largest moon Titan and cemented the wave theory of light propagation. One could say that he was interested in the celestial bodies as much as he was in understanding motion and measuring time here on Earth. In his honour, the exhibit leans on the astronomical theme as well. 

The exhibition is accompanied by a selection of special watches available for sale. Visitors will have the chance to acquire the world’s smallest wristwatch planetarium, the CVDK Planetarium Christiaan Huygens Limited Edition, created by the Dutch watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw, and precision pendulum clocks by the German maker Erwin Sattler. Telluriums and Astrolabium pieces by Hermle will also be available for purchase. 

Some of the independent watchmakers involved with the exhibit.

Shellman has long been a champion of independent watchmaking in Japan, so the exhibit will also showcase 20 contemporary creations by independent watchmakers, which will be available for purchase as well. Each piece will come accompanied by a letter hand-written by the watchmaker, titled “Dear Watch Lover”.

Among the independent timepieces on display, visitors will find pieces from Habring², Sylvain Pinaud, Czapek and more. The uncommon format of the event, with the exhibition pieces being made available for purchase, is quite appealing to anyone who is moved by Huygens’ legacy. 

The Shellman The Origins of Time = Astronomy exhibition is open to the public and will run from November 19 to December 2, on the sixth floor of the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.

Visitor information:

Watch Gallery/Shellman 6F Main Building, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store 1-4-1
Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
103-8001
Telephone: 03-6225-2134 (Direct Line)

More details on shellman-dearwatchlover.com.