The Watches of Switzerland Group is set to become a corporate partner of the AHCI, starting May 24.
The Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) is a non-profit association with the mission to perpetuate the art of independent watch and clock-making.
The AHCI includes more than 30 creative independent watchmakers mostly Swiss, but also from other parts of the globe, with key watchmakers such as FP Journe, Voutilainen, Vianney Halter, Konstantin Chaykin and Andersen Geneve, all real artists in their field.
By becoming a corporate partner, the Watches of Switzerland Groups commitment to the AHCI is to establish meaningful and long-term ties to champion the advocacy of creative and independent watchmaking in the markets the group serves and to contribute to the preservation and the development of watchmaking know-how.
Eric Macaire, executive director, global buying and merchandising at the Watches of Switzerland Group, commented: “As a group we remain clear on our purpose which is ‘to wow our clients while caring for our colleagues our communities and our planet.’
“As a purpose-led business, our values are at the centre of everything we do. Our of our key values is to advocate for the industry: by proactively promoting and supporting the interests and responsibilities of the luxury watch and jewellery sectors in our markets.
“We pride ourselves to represent the industry as wide as we possibly can with hundreds of brand partners from large groups to small and niche independents. We believe in the innovation and creativity to support the growth and continued appeal towards horology.”
Mr Macaire said the business was very proud of its team of watchmakers, case polishers, technicians and administrators that it has been able to attract to its service centres in the UK and US and together the team boasts years of industry experience.
“In FY23, we sponsored three students to study at the British School of Watchmaking and are in the process of preparing in-house candidates at our Manchester Service Centre for the FY24 intake. We also have a longer term aspiration to develop a formal Group-wide apprenticeship scheme.
“We look forward to working in partnership with the AHCI to support the promotion of independent watchmakers, supporting the industry by advocating for it and also engaging our watchmakers by forming relationships with these prestigious artists.”
The AHCI was founded in 1985, when watchmakers Svend Andersen from Geneva, and Vincent Calabrese, who worked in Lausanne, established a community of independent watchmakers.
They were driven by a desire to preserve the traditions of watchmaking and understanding of the danger that independent watchmakers could disappear.
It became necessary to advertise the activities of independent watchmakers, as well as to support their discoveries, inventions, and creative approach to the development of watchmaking art.
The Watches of Switzerland Group operates 211 showrooms across the UK, US and Europe including 97 dedicated mono-brand boutiques and has a leading presence at Heathrow Airport.
