The Fondation Haute Horlogerie celebrates its 20th anniversary and opens up to non-industry members
At the end of June in Geneva, the Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH) celebrated its 20-year commitment to watchmaking culture and at the same time opened a new chapter of its opening up to an audience outside the watch industry.
(Picture left: Pascal Ravessoud, Patrick Pruniaux, Ilaria Resta, Aurélie Streit, Cyrille Vigneron (Photo credit: Jordi Ruiz Cirera))
Among the guests of honor present were Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, Patrick Pruniaux, Chairman and CEO of Girard-Perregaux, and Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Culture and Philanthropy at Cartier, who represented Richemont.
About the Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH)
Founded in 2005 by Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux and the Richemont Group, the mission of FHH and its 37 partner brands is to preserve and disseminate watchmaking expertise through its three pillars of activity:
The "Watches and Culture" section aims to keep watchmaking culture alive through educational content, exhibitions, and other activities. The FHH Forum is a platform for discussion, information, and debate, and the FHH Academy imparts watchmaking knowledge, training, and certification.
The FHH has been a partner of the Geneva Watch Days event since 2023, which will take place this year from September 4 to 7.
Furthermore, after their first collaboration with Inhorgenta in Munich this year, both institutions have decided on a long-term collaboration.
The FHH opens up to non-industry members
To mark its 20th anniversary, the FHH also announced a new public online training platform called FHH Boutique and opened the free exhibition "Watch Makers," dedicated to the art, craft, and watchmaking.
The FHH Boutique is a dedicated online e-commerce platform that offers the FHH Academy's expert training videos and certifications for purchase to non-industry professionals. These materials are available with a special 20 percent discount until December 31, 2025. This year, the "Watches and Culture" section is also expanding its reach with tailored content and events aimed at new target groups, primarily women and Generation Z. Following the initial events in Paris and London earlier this year, the initiative will continue its journey in New York at the end of 2025.
In addition, this year's FHH Forum will offer public masterclasses and a podcast series designed to introduce the mysterious world of watchmaking to a new audience. The FHH Forum will be held outside of Switzerland for the first time, visiting New York on October 17.
The FHH opens the exhibition “Watch Makers”.
The "Watch Makers" experiential exhibition, which offers an immersive, multi-sensory journey into the fascinating world of watchmaking with free admission, includes educational and hands-on experiences that introduce visitors to watchmaking and craftsmanship. The exhibition runs until September 7, 2025.
Ilaria Resta, CEO Audemars Piguet
"For 20 years, the FHH has held the conviction that watchmaking is more than an industry—it is a living cultural heritage, an art that connects generations, regions, and expertise."
Ilaria Resta
"By opening doors to watch enthusiasts, collectors, and amateurs alike, it awakens curiosity and fosters connections. Audemars Piguet prides itself on inspiring collectors and enthusiasts alike, stimulating curiosity and building connections. Audemars Piguet proudly supports this mission and believes in a dynamic, evolving art of watchmaking committed to its future."
Patrick Pruniaux, Chairman and CEO, Girard-Perregaux
“Over the centuries, the world of watchmaking has continuously evolved and grown thanks to its talented players—craftsmen, inventors, and watchmakers.”
Patrick Pruniaux
"Therefore, it is a privilege for our current generation of talented players—artisans, inventors, and watchmakers. Therefore, it is a privilege for our current generation of leaders to preserve skills, protect artisans, and promote savoir-faire. And we want to attract the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and disruptors who will lead this industry into the future. That's exactly what we're doing, and we're grateful to the FHH for supporting manufacturers like us in this important mission."
Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Culture and Philanthropy, Cartier
"Culture is a cornerstone of our industry; it gives it meaning. And it is essential that we convey this culture to a world seeking meaning. Together with the FHH and its partners, our vision is to convey culture to a world seeking meaning. Together with the FHH and its partners, our vision is to root watchmaking in art and cultural history. This is a turning point for watchmaking, and I welcome the FHH's ambitious program to secure its future."
Pascal Ravessoud, Vice President, FHH
"The FHH has enjoyed 20 wonderful, extremely fruitful years. Now it's time to restart the clock and open itself up to a new generation of truly global watch lovers. The charm of a mechanical watch is timeless, and the opportunities to promote it are endless: It is our responsibility as a foundation and as an industry to seize this moment, share the passion for watchmaking, and secure the future of watchmaking culture."
Aurélie Streit, Vice President, FHH:
“Our mission to pass on watchmaking culture to the next generation is now entering a decisive new phase.”
Aurélie Streit
"With this series of new initiatives, FHH will reach new audiences, using a universal, accessible, and inclusive language that will ignite the passion of tomorrow's watchmakers and watch enthusiasts. Through trade fairs like Watch Makers and our upcoming international events program, we can be extremely confident that FHH will achieve these ambitious goals over the next 20 years."
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