Part of the Musée Régional de Val-de-Travers, the Musées des Mascarons provides a fascinating and truly authentic insight into the history of watchmaking from the perpsective of those who actually made the watches: the watchmaker is at the center of the experience here, between the history of the profession in its pre-industrial days, to the many tools used to produce mechanical watches back then. 

Location

Grande Rue 14, 2112 Val-de-Travers (Google Maps)

Open Hours 

Saturday & Sunday 2 pm - 5 pm from April 9 to December 18 (closed in winter)

How much? Adults: 8 CHF / Reduced: 5 CHF / Under 16: Free

1h tours can be booked for 100 CHF 

More details on the museum website

SWE rating: Very good - the rating could be Excellent but as it is quite far out and more niche than say a famous brand museum, I want to manage expectations. 

SWE tips: 

• Part of the same museum complex is the "Séchoir à Absinthe", an absinth drying barn. Because the building has been kept as is, with no heating or insulation, it is only open from May to October. Be sure to visit around those dates if you want to combine both. 

• The M.A.D.I., located a 20 minute drive away, is a museum focused on industrial history. It includes a large section on watchmaking tools.