Les 24h du Temps
The event dedicated to watchmaking, art and design in Besançon
About 24h du Temps
Les 24h du Temps: Besançon, capital of French watchmaking
Les 24h du Temps is a unique event in France that celebrates the intimate link between Besançon and watchmaking. Historic capital of French watchmaking, Besançon hosts this event dedicated to the art of time every June, created in 2014 from an original idea by France Bleu Besançon.
An event at the heart of Besançon's heritage
Les 24h du Temps takes over emblematic locations in the city center of Besançon:
- Palais Granvelle — inner courtyard and exhibition rooms
- Musée du Temps — permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
- Espace Utinam — workshops and demonstrations
- Kursaal — conferences and watchmaking fair
Passionate exhibitors
Around sixty players from the watchmaking world gather to share their expertise and creations:
- French and international watch brands
- Contemporary designers
- Watchmaking and training students
- Artisans — case makers, dial makers, enamellers, engravers
- Enthusiasts and collectors
Art and design in the service of time
The 2025 edition, the 11th, highlighted the union between art and design in the watchmaking world. The objective is to showcase “not only the technological aspect, but also the creation and artistic quality” of the sector. Conferences, round tables, and demonstrations provide insight into the contemporary challenges of watchmaking.
Prestigious guests
Alain Silberstein, watch designer and “founder of new French watchmaking,” shared his vision of the role of design in watchmaking at the 2025 edition. The Swiss commune of Sainte-Croix (Canton of Vaud) was the guest of honor, with the MEC-ART association presenting music boxes, automata, and animated sculptures.
Watchmaking fair and discoveries
Les 24h du Temps also includes a watchmaking fair where collectors and enthusiasts can buy, sell, and trade watches and watchmaking pieces. Tours and strolls through the streets of Besançon complete the program to discover the city's watchmaking heritage.
24h du Temps — edition 2026
The 12th edition of 24h du Temps takes place on June 20 and 21, 2026 at Palais Granvelle and the Musée du Temps in Besançon, on the theme of vintage in watchmaking. Around fifty watch brands and creators, conferences with Alain Silberstein and Judikaël Hirel, and a watch fair with 40 exhibitors at the Kursaal.
ℹ️ 2026 Edition confirmed — free access for the general public.
24h du Temps 2026: Vintage Edition
The 12th edition of 24h du Temps takes over Palais Granvelle, the Musée du Temps, and the Kursaal in Besançon on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2026, with a professional day on Friday, June 19, bringing together watchmaking industry players.
Theme: Vintage in Watchmaking
This edition celebrates the inspiration that the past continues to exert on contemporary creation. In the center of the Palais Granvelle courtyard, an immersive scenographic space inspired by the years 1950 to 2000 plunges visitors into a true time capsule: retro hi-fi lounge, vintage kitchen, period library, and dressing room. Contemporary designers revisit archives from the 1950s to the 1980s to create neo-vintage pieces.
Around Fifty Watchmaking Exhibitors
French and international watch brands, independent creators, training and research organizations gather in the Palais Granvelle courtyard. Watchmaking schools highlight the training that ensures the transmission of skills, and students from IUT Besançon-Vesoul-Dole present their innovative prototypes. Assembly workshops allow the public to discover watchmaking techniques.
L'Arc Horloger, Guest of Honor Territory
The 2026 edition honors L'Arc Horloger, a Franco-Swiss association working for the recognition of watchmaking know-how inscribed on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. The association holds its general assembly and presents its strategic initiatives to become an « Observatory of Know-How » by 2030.
3rd Interprofessional Summit
The 3rd Interprofessional Summit of Watchmaking and Mechanical Arts, on the theme « Crossroads », brings together industry professionals on Friday, June 19, for strategic discussions on design evolution and consumer trends.
Programme 24h du Temps 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026 — Professional Day
- 3rd Interprofessional Summit of Watchmaking and Mechanical Arts — theme « Crossroads »
- General Assembly of L'Arc Horloger — presentation of strategic initiatives
- Reception evening for industry stakeholders
Saturday, June 20, 2026 — Palais Granvelle, Musée du Temps, Kursaal
- 10 AM - 7 PM — Watch Fair at Kursaal (Place du Théâtre), organized by AFAHA, 40 exhibitors presenting antique watchmaking objects
- All day — Palais Granvelle Courtyard: watchmaking exhibitors, demonstrations, assembly workshops, immersive vintage space
- 11:30 AM — Conference « Design and Watchmaking » with Jean-Jacques Weber and Judikaël Hirel, followed by a signing of the Vintage Watch Guide
- 3:00 PM — Conference « Antide Janvier, Watchmaker to the King » by François Buffard — the life of this 18th-century watchmaker, from Louis XV to the Revolution
- Musée du Temps — permanent collections, discovery workshops, restoration demonstrations
Sunday, June 21, 2026 — Palais Granvelle, Musée du Temps
- All day — Palais Granvelle Courtyard: exhibitors, demonstrations, vintage space
- 10:30 AM — Conference « How was time progressively quantified? » by Olivier Beraud Martin
- 11:30 AM — Conference « Designing a watch is telling a story » by Alain Silberstein, watch designer, a look back at 35 years of his career and his artistic and playful approach to haute horlogerie
- Stardust Odyssey — presentation of the world record in stop-motion
- Musée du Temps — guided tours, metal embossing workshops, clock restoration
Highlights 24h du Temps 2026
- Vintage theme — immersive 1950s-2000s space in the Palais Granvelle courtyard
- Alain Silberstein, founder of new French watchmaking, in conference on Sunday, June 21
- Watch fair at Kursaal with 40 exhibitors (Saturday, June 20, 10 AM - 7 PM)
- 4 free conferences at the Musée du Temps with Jean-Jacques Weber, Judikaël Hirel, Alain Silberstein, François Buffard, Olivier Beraud Martin
- L'Arc Horloger — guest of honor territory, UNESCO know-how
- Festina and around fifty watch brands present
- Stardust Odyssey — world record in stop-motion
- Free access for all public events
Prices 24h du Temps 2026
Practical information — 24h du Temps
Access to Les 24h du Temps
Locations
The activities are spread across the Palais Granvelle (courtyard and Musée du Temps), Espace Utinam, and the Kursaal, all located in the city center of Besançon.
By public transport
Ginko network: tram and bus serving the city center. Granvelle and Révolution stops.
By car
City center parking: Chamars, Battant, Marché Beaux-Arts.
Prices
Free access for most activities. Some conferences and the watchmaking fair may be subject to a fee.
Contact
Website: www.les24hdutemps.fr
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Where does it take place — 24h du Temps
Palais Granvelle — Musée du Temps
Palais Granvelle, 25000 Besançon