Van Bergen 1795 Makes Horological Debut at Top Marques

Top Marques Monaco, renowned as the ultimate launchpad for supercars and luxury innovations, will host the global horological debut of Van Bergen 1795 at its 2026 edition, from May 6 – 10.

The world premiere will take place in Top Marques Monaco’s newly enhanced Watch and Jewellery Pavilion – 30% larger to meet growing demands for exceptional timepieces alongside the world’s most coveted supercars.

Translating 230 years of acoustic mastery from carillons to horological complications

For 230 years, the Van Bergen name has resonated across continents through bells, tower clocks, and carillons. Now, that audible legacy transforms into haute horlogerie – where every timepiece will continue the family’s sonic heritage through integrated sound complications.

The company will present its inaugural collection – The Heero Collection – at Top Marques Monaco’s 21st edition, in the Principality’s Grimaldi Forum.

Princely Tribute to Monaco

Van Bergen 1795 will present H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco with the first-ever Van Bergen wristwatch – a unique Monaco Edition.

A second exclusive Monaco Edition piece will be auctioned, with all proceeds supporting The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation,  contributing to the funding of all its programs around the world.

From Carillon Bells to Chiming Complications

Founded in 1795 by Andries Heeres I in Midwolda, Netherlands, the Van Bergen family mastered the acoustic science of bronze across six generations. Their installations – from tower clock mechanisms to complete carillons comprising dozens of precisely tuned bells played from keyboards – included commissions for John D. Rockefeller and the Netherlands Carillon at Arlington National Cemetery.

In 1933, Van Bergen became the first Dutch foundry since 1735 to produce fully tuned carillons, reclaiming a craft lost for two centuries. This achievement represented generations perfecting acoustic tolerances measured in fractions of millimeters – the difference between bells that sang true and those that failed.

After casting their final bell on 11 April 1980, the legacy entered a new chapter under Baron Dr. rer. nat. h.c. Rudolph Andries Ulrich Juchter van Bergen Quast, KJH, LLM – grandson of the final master bellfounder – and Erik Meijer. Trained as a classical percussionist at the Rotterdam and Royal Conservatoire The Hague, Meijer ensures every Van Bergen timepiece honors the family’s 230-year acoustic mastery.

The Heero Collection: Sound as Heritage

Named for the dynasty’s founders, The Heero Collection features a half-hour sonnerie au passage complication – automatically chiming every half-hour as a direct homage to the carillon bells that marked time across the world’s most distinguished towers. This audible complication is not merely decorative: it represents the Van Bergen commitment that sound will remain central to every timepiece the company creates.

“A Van Bergen without sound would be a Van Bergen without soul,” states Erik Meijer, CEO of Van Bergen 1795. “Our founders shaped bronze into music; we shape movements into melody. For 230 years, the Van Bergen name has been synonymous with the world’s most magnificent bells and carillons. This inaugural collection ensures that musical heritage lives on in every timepiece we create.”

Baron Juchter van Bergen Quast, President, reflects on this transformation: “When my family ended bell founding, I knew our legacy of precision couldn’t end. Today, I’m honored to see the same dedication that once shaped bells for Rockefeller now creates timepieces that will become family heirlooms. The tolerances once measured in the tuning of carillon bells now govern the oscillation of balance wheels.”

Limited Production

The inaugural Heero Collection comprises 230 individually numbered pieces in five distinctive dial colors, honoring the company’s 1795 founding year. The Monaco Edition – comprising 50 titanium and 9 white gold pieces – will debut simultaneously.

Top Marques Monaco 2026

Van Bergen 1795 will exhibit at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco’s Watch & Jewellery Pavilion, alongside legendary automotive marques including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, McLaren, and exceptional classic cars, motorbikes, and boats. Emeric Garcia, director of Top Marques Monaco, said: “We are honored to host Van Bergen 1795’s global debut at Top Marques Monaco. We have worked tirelessly to establish our reputation as a premier launch pad for supercars and transport innovation, and we are thrilled that this recognition has now extended to the world of luxury timepieces.

“When a 230-year legacy transforms from crafting bell towers to adorning wrists, it perfectly embodies our event’s spirit—where legendary craftsmanship meets contemporary excellence. This world premiere, alongside Van Bergen’s tribute to H.S.H. Prince Albert II and their support for The Princess Charlene Foundation, exemplifies luxury that honors both heritage and philanthropy.”