Historical Establishment of the German Watch Museum Glashütte
The gonging of a vintage Glashütte grandfather clock by Karl W. Höhnel at exactly 12:00 on March 16, 2006, in the Glashütte Original manufactory’s atrium marked the historical establishment of the German Watch Museum Glashütte - Nicolas G. Hayek foundation. For this occasion, CEO of Swatch Group AG, Nick Hayek, jr., journeyed from Switzerland to join local mayor Frank Reichel and Glashütte Original’s managing director Dr. Frank Müller to seal the foundation’s establishment by signing the official paperwork.
After welcoming remarks by Dr. Frank Müller, Peter Schöne, a student of the former German School of Watchmaking, related some of his memories during his education there as well as from his life as a watchmaker in Glashütte. This was followed by addresses from the mayor and Nick Hayek, jr., who enthusiastically announced future plans in his speech: "Our message is loud and clear: We believe in this location and we are lending a hand here." In front of about one hundred invited guests, as well as just about all of Glashütte Original's employees, the three men - dressed in white watchmaker's coats - took the stage. There the prepared foundation papers awaited them, ready for signatures, on a watchmaker's bench.
With this new establishment of the German Watch Museum Glashütte - Nicolas G. Hayek foundation, more than just a cornerstone for the renovation and maintenance of the watch museum of the city of Glashütte was laid. This building will also be used as a library, an archive, and for further activities aimed at maintaining the cultural inheritance of the watch location Glashütte. The inauguration of the historical building housing the German Watch Museum Glashütte - Nicolas G. Hayek is planned for May 2008 after a thorough renovation phase.