The collection of clocks and watches of Moscow Kremlin Museums numbers about 200 exhibits. The chronological frames of the collection are dated with the XVI-XX centuries.

The collection presents rare and in some cases unique early examples of watches in precious watchcases, table clocks in figured copper gilt cases. They were created in leading artistic and clock centers of Germany and France by famous masters, many of whom worked for European Royal Courts. Several exemplars with Geneve mechanisms are framed with cases made in Istanbul. There are about 35 old clocks in the collection, which is rather much for the museums of our country.

The artworks of the XVIII-early XIX century represent all European art styles of this period and include several memorial exhibits. The mechanisms of these items are not complicated, but the watchcases are very expensive, fashioned and refined artworks of chased gold with semiprecious stones and diamonds, decorated with tortoise-shell. This section of the collection comprises three rare watches, created at the Breguet’s firm. All the mechanisms are known only in one exemplar. Their construction with several pointers is very complicated.

Massive bronze clocks from the Paris workshop of P.F. Thomire are worthy collection items.

The group of articles of the second part XIX-early XX century comprises as a whole exemplars of typical artistic products of different, mostly Swiss firms, such as male and female watches in gold and silver cases decorated with enamels, precious stones, engraving and guilloche. The watch of Feodor Ivanovich Shalyapin is of special interest. It was presented to the great singer by Emperor Nicholas II.