The exhibition “What Time is It?”, previewed at Watches and Wonders Geneva from March 27 to April 2, 2023, tells the story of Swiss photographer Karine Bauzin's quest for time. Through a selection of approximately 80 images taken during her travels around the world, she reveals a universal, yet unique gesture that transcends cultural, economic or religious differences: that of telling the time.
We have compiled “My Watch Personality” as a guide for choosing the watches that correspond to your lifestyle and tastes, wants and wishes, through a (sometimes offbeat) look at the major trends in society and in watchmaking for 2022.
For those who are unaware of the richness of the watchmaking world and its ‘mysteries,’ the FHH has developed ‘Watches and Culture.’ This initiative first took shape with an Instagram account @watches_and_culture, a new entry point, entirely aimed at audiences who are still unfamiliar with watchmaking but are very active on social networks. In parallel, Watch Essentials, an educational app designed to raise awareness of watchmaking culture, has been brought up-to-date.
First aimed at watch sales professionals, the training and certification programs of the FHH Academy on watchmaking knowledge are now also aimed at an amateur public. Available in 11 languages and given by 23 trainers, online or locally face-to-face, they have already been followed by 20’000 people, of which 5'000 obtained the certification developed by the FHH Academy.
The range of our training courses covers all the areas of watchmaking, from the initiation stage to the professional level. New courses on sustainable development were recently developed to enhance our offer for professionals.
The FHH Academy also provides information on the different professions in the watchmaking industry and the skills needed to carry out these activities in a company.
The Forum is a platform providing online and offline information and debate, produced by the industry and for the industry, which will cover a variety of topics across five main themes: sustainability, heritage, innovation, experience and industry. The theme for this current year is sustainability. The Forum platform will collate topical information related to the year's theme and provide content in different formats such as round tables, interviews, podcasts, articles, etc. Each year, a one-day Live Forum will be organised for our industry leaders.
Some forty companies geared towards excellence are actively committed to the culture and heritage of watchmaking. In becoming a partner brand of the foundation’s cultural activities, they encourage and actively support its missions and activities.
They are visionary and avant-garde; they are faithful to tradition and proud of their origins; they are the work of young independent creators or bear age-old names; watch brands in search of excellence, in all their diversity and specificities, carry the values of the profession high.
Comprising some fifty independent personalities and international specialists in every area of Fine Watchmaking, the Cultural Council is the guarantee of legitimacy and objectivity. Furthermore, it ensures the Foundation has the best possible vision from which to serve the interests of the branch.
Watchmaking is a rich and complex universe. For a better understanding, Watches and Culture has a section « Encyclopaedia » to familiarise oneself with the vocabulary of the profession and to discover its history, its legendary watches, its arts and crafts, its fine watchmaking creations, its famous watchmakers and its major museums.
The DNA of watchmaking has always been multiple and collaboration the norm. The watchmaking culture, which is very rich, whether for its mechanical heritage, its know-how recently recognised by the UNESCO or its heritage, must therefore be defended and promoted naturally through partnerships.
The Federation of the Swiss Industry, umbrella organisation of the profession, the watch museums and the universities, are among the partners of the Foundation's cultural activities. As valuable supporters of the FHH, they contribute to its various events and actions in the service of watchmaking culture.
The Watches and Culture media center is available for all information requests and holds all press kits, photos, press releases and videos for the media.
Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development have become vital themes in the luxury and watchmaking industries. As a guarantor of watchmaking excellence, Watches and Culture is committed to promoting more responsible practices that respect both the environment and human rights within the industry.
Watches and Culture has therefore created the Meaningful Watch Movement, a programme designed to support watch brands and watchmaking professionals as they transition to more sustainable and responsible practices.
