The collection of clocks, watches and scientific instruments in the Basel Historical Museum, consisting of around 1'200 objects, is one of the largest and most important in Switzerland. It is comparable to those in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Geneva, and enjoys an international reputation. It derives from four private collections that entered the Museum in 1919 and the 1980s, as well as from donations and purchases that have taken place regularly since 1870. Additionally there are permanent deposits from the University of Basel of two groups of scientific instruments (Astronomical Institute, 1960, and Physics Institute, 1986).

The collection bequeathed in 1919 by Marie Bachofen-Vischer of Basel included 250 watches of various origins dating from the 16th to the 19th century. With the bequest of Carl and Lini Nathan Rupp of Binningen in 1982, 242 clocks of similar date entered the Museum, among them 22 coach clocks. In the same year the Museum received on permanent deposit the collection of Emanuel George Sarasin-Grossmann of Basel, including notably nonmechanical clocks (sundials) and a total of 200 scientific instruments. Finally in 1983 an extremely important private collection was added to that of the Museum, the 208 clocks and watches of the Dr. Eugen Gschwind Foundation. They originate from German, French, Dutch and English speaking countries, and date from between the 15th and the 19th century. Amongst them is a very large number of enamelled gold watches by the enamellers Huaud of Geneva. The heyday of clockmaking in Basel, from the 16th to the 18th century, is documented with about 80 examples.