Le Cabinotier

Le Cabinotier : Mini Watchmaking Museum and Antique Boutique

Tucked away in a listed 1905 building in the heart of Geneva’s historic Saint-Gervais district, Le Cabinotier is much more than just a shopping destination — it’s a true mini-museum dedicated to Geneva’s rich watchmaking heritage.

Even from the street, a small display window catches the eye: like a treasure chest, it showcases vintage watchmaking tools, timepiece movements, and rare historical photographs.

This pocket-sized museum pays tribute to the cabinotiers — Geneva’s traditional watchmakers who once worked in rooftop workshops, bathed in natural light.

Step inside and you’re greeted by a hushed, timeless atmosphere, where the gentle ticking of antique clocks fills the air. Among the curiosities, visitors can browse a remarkable collection of vintage Geneva postcards — like leafing through a memory album.

Yet Le Cabinotier is far from stuck in the past. Its owner, Monsieur Pesenti — affectionately known as “the last cabinotier” — lovingly restores old clocks and watches through his expert repair service.

With his rare craftsmanship, he keeps alive a profession deeply rooted in Geneva’s identity and especially in the soul of the Saint-Gervais neighborhood.

Before leaving this one-of-a-kind cabinet of curiosities, take a moment to admire the nearby Bas-relief Terreaux du Temple by sculptor Paul Bianchi (1958), depicting Jean-Jacques Rousseau — who, fittingly, once apprenticed as a watchmaker in this very district.