FHH Inaugurates Watches And Talents, A Watchmaking Exhibition Recognizing Eight Artists

On June 5th, the Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH) inaugurated its new exhibition "Watches and Talents" with over 250 guests on the Pont de la Machine. Designed by Watches and Culture by FHH, this exhibition highlights the work of eight talented professionals working behind the scenes of watchmaking through the lens of director Thibault Vallotton.

On June 5th, the Fondation Haute Horlogerie welcomed over 250 guests from cultural circles, media, and members of 44 partner brands on the Pont de la Machine to celebrate the inauguration of its summer exhibition "Watches and Talents". This multimedia installation reveals the world of watchmaking through the lens of artisanal and industrial craftsmanship, narrated by those who perpetuate them. 

Organized around a series of eight 3-minute short films directed by Thibault Vallotton, the exhibition highlights the work of eight watchmaking talents. Four of them come from the world of artisanal crafts: marquetry artist Bastien Chevalier, master watchmaker Philippe Dufour, enameller Anita Porchet, and miniature painter Isabelle Villa. The other four hail from the industrial watchmaking sector: Andreas Albert, a watchmaker specializing in mainsprings; Thierry Faivre, a stamp maker; Ismaël Jaggi, a press setter; and Justine Jouanneau, a case finisher. 

 In these videos, each artisan reveals their craft and tells their story. Watches and Culture by FHH chose to anchor these films in reality by displaying panels showcasing tools and objects from each artisan's professional and personal daily life. In the centre of the room, a table allows visitors to locate the origins of the artisans while highlighting one of their creations. 

 Aurélie Streit, Vice President of the Fondation Haute Horlogerie, stated: “At the FHH, we continually offer new exhibitions and cultural activities designed to appeal to everyone, highlighting the watch as an object of art and culture. But with the 'Watches and Talents' exhibition, we reveal the lives behind the scenes, reminding us that the beating heart of watchmaking remains human. Through this work, we hope to present watchmaking and its professions from a different perspective and inspire new vocations.”

The "Watches and Talents" exhibition runs from June 6, 2024, to September 2, 2024, in the Arcade of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, located at the Pont de la Machine in Geneva. The Foundation also offers a multitude of activities around this exhibition throughout the summer, including several conferences related to watchmaking.