Fondation Haute Horlogerie Partners with GIA for Expanded Watchmaking Education
The Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH) has announced a strategic academic collaboration with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and its School of Gemology and Jewelry Arts. This partnership aims to broaden access to watchmaking knowledge, training, and certification by leveraging the GIA's extensive global infrastructure and existing educational programs.
- Collaboration between FHH and GIA's School of Gemology and Jewelry Arts
- Focus on watch industry knowledge, training, and certification
- Utilizes GIA's international physical and online infrastructure
- FHH Academy programs to be offered to GIA students starting early 2027
- Initial offering includes 'Watch Advisor' certification and tutor sessions
The collaboration aims to significantly expand the FHH's mandate to provide watchmaking, culture, and industry knowledge to a wider audience, including industry professionals, collectors, and consumers.
The GIA, founded in 1931, has trained over 200,000 professionals in jewelry and gems and is considered a leading authority in gemology.
The FHH, supported by around 40 watchmaking companies, aims to promote and spread knowledge of watchmaking culture, skills, and techniques.
The FHH Academy, established in 2014, has trained over 50,000 individuals and certified approximately 18,000 across 20 countries, opening its programs to the public in 2025.
This partnership is expected to expose watchmaking knowledge to a larger audience, bridging the gap between the significantly larger jewelry industry and the watch industry.