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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.

The signing was followed by a tour of the historical building now chosen to house the future watch museum in the heart of the city.

Expertly led by current museum director Reinhard Reichel, the festive group, complete with construction helmets, walked across a red carpet into the historical edifice. There the guests were treated to a champagne reception in honor of the foundation’s establishment.

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.