The FHH Inaugurates the ‘Watch Makers’ Exhibition in Geneva for the Summer

Two decades of commitment to watchmaking culture were celebrated yesterday evening on the shores of Lake Geneva, in the Swiss cradle of watchmaking. Surrounded by its founding members, Ilaria Resta, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet, Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregeaux, and Cyrille Vigneron, President of Culture and Philanthropy at Cartier, representing the Richemont Group, the FHH presented its plans for the future.

The non-profit organisation was founded in 2005 to preserve watchmaking culture and protect its heritage by building a sustainable future. On his initiative, Dr Franco Cologni, an iconic figure in the sector and a passionate advocate of the transmission of expertise, convinced others to create this foundation with the motto: a heritage for tomorrow.

That is why, as it enters a new decade of its history, the FHH is affirming its desire to broaden the horizons of watchmaking. No longer just talking to insiders, but also to a broader, younger and more female audience to attract the next generation of watchmakers.

‘Culture is a fundamental pillar of our industry; it gives it meaning. And it is essential that we pass on this culture to a world in search of meaning. With the FHH and its partners, our vision is to ensure that watchmaking remains rooted in the history of art and civilisation,’ said Cyrille Vigneron at the press conference.

After three years of spectacular growth for the sector, last year's fall in exports to China and Hong Kong had a significant impact on employment, particularly among subcontractors and entry-level and mid-range brands. However, exports had reached a historic high in 2023 at 26.7 billion Swiss francs, encouraging recruitment in companies. To address these challenges, the FHH is actively engaged in training through the FHH Academy, which has already trained over 40,000 individuals and issued more than 15,000 certificates to students since its inception in 2014.

‘By opening doors to watch enthusiasts and collectors, the FHH awakens curiosity and fosters relationships. Audemars Piguet is proud to support this mission, believing in a dynamic and evolving watchmaking industry dedicated to its future,’ emphasises Ilaria Resta.

Among other initiatives, the FHH is launching FHH Boutique, a dedicated online e-commerce platform providing non-professional members of the public with training videos and certifications from the FHH Academy. The foundation's cultural branch, ‘Watches and Culture,’ will export its concept to New York in 2025, offering tailored content and events to attract new audiences, and the FHH Forum, also to be held in New York on 17 October, will feature several public masterclasses and a dedicated podcast series.

However, the greatest immersive journey begins right now, in Geneva, and will continue until September 7, 2025, with the experiential exhibition ‘Watch Makers’. To introduce visitors to watchmaking and craftsmanship, it offers the general public a variety of educational and hands-on experiences, including movement assembly and decoration, gem setting, case engraving, and marquetry.