Uhrenmuseum Winterthur
Clock museum in the old town of Winterthur with the Kellenberger collection of wheel clocks and the Schwank collection of pocket watches.
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About the museum
The core of the museum is the collection of precision mechanic Konrad Kellenberger (1907–1976), who collected and repaired old clocks. In 1970 the city of Winterthur acquired his holdings and first displayed them in the town hall; in 1999 the clock collection moved into the converted building of the Gewerbemuseum (trade museum) on Kirchplatz.
In 2012 around 220 pocket watches from the collection of watchmaker Oscar Schwank were added. Schwank had assembled them over decades with a particular commitment to quality. Since the reopening in November 2017, both collections have been presented together under the name Uhrenmuseum Winterthur.
The Kellenberger holdings include iron house and tower clocks of the 15th to 17th centuries, console clocks by the Winterthur Liechti family, and Swiss wheel clocks of the 17th to 19th centuries, among them Appenzell pieces with figure automatons. The Schwank collection comprises pocket watches from the 16th to the 20th century, such as decimal watches from the time of the French Revolution and luxury watches with automatons or musical movements. Many movements run, so the ticking accompanies the exhibition.
Highlights
- Iron wheel clocks of the 15th to 17th centuries, including a console clock from 1533
- Astronomical monstrance clock from Augsburg around 1600 and tower clock from Innsbruck dated 1547
- Swiss wood-wheel clocks with figure automatons from Appenzell
- Around 220 pocket watches from the Oscar Schwank collection, including decimal watches from the Revolutionary era
- Free trilingual audio guide (German, French, English)
Permanent exhibitions
- Sammlung Konrad Kellenberger – Iron house and tower clocks, console clocks by the Liechti family, and Swiss wood-wheel clocks from four centuries.
- Sammlung Oscar Schwank – Around 220 pocket watches from the 16th to the 20th century, including decimal watches from the Revolutionary era and watches with automatons.
- Founded
- 2017
- Operated by
- Stadt Winterthur
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 3AHV recipients (Swiss old-age pension), students, groups of 10 or more people |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 16 · Children and young people up to age 16 have free admission. |
| Seniors | CHF 3AHV (Swiss old-age pension) |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission with IV proof (Swiss disability insurance); accompanying person also free |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 3Students; free on Thursdays 17:00–20:00 for students and apprentices with a Legi |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 3 per personGroups of 10 or more people (reduced rate) |
| Whole house including Gewerbemuseum Winterthur | CHF 12 |
| Whole house including Gewerbemuseum (reduced) | CHF 8 |
Free admission: Thursdays 17:00–20:00 for students and apprentices with a Legi (Swiss student ID)
Schools and holders of certain museum passes have free admission. Private guided tours cost CHF 150 during and CHF 250 outside opening hours.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the museum, fully wheelchair-accessible including restrooms, with access via a ramp; wheelchairs are available on request.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 16 |
|---|
School classes from kindergarten to upper secondary level can book workshops (e.g., on gearwheels or chain reactions); children and young people up to age 16 have free admission.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stadthaus
From Winterthur train station, just under 10 minutes on foot via Untertor and Marktgasse, or take bus 1, 3, 5 or 14 two stops to Stadthaus stop.
By car
Parking available
No parking at the museum; use Parkhaus Technikum-Nord, then walk via Steinberggasse and Obere Kirchgasse to Kirchplatz.
On Tuesday and Friday mornings, access via Technikumstrasse and Steinberggasse is closed because of the weekly market.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Grand Café du Musée with coffee, cake and meals, with a garden courtyard in summer.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Room rental and catering for private events available on request.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, FR, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio guide is included in admission and can be used with your own smartphone or borrowed as a device at the ticket desk. Private guided tours for groups are available during and outside opening hours. |
