Vacheron Constantin Partners with U.S. Watchmaking School

Students of the NAIOSW Swiss watchmaking classes of 2013 and 2014 along with school officials and Vacheron Constantin representatives.

Vacheron Constantin, and the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking have formed a two-year partnership to promote and support high watchmaking in North America.

Vacheron Constantin is the first Swiss watchmaking brand to partner with the NAIOSW, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The partnership is an extension of the brand’s worldwide support of the Institute of Swiss Watchmaking, of which the NAIOSW is a branch.

Students in the classes of 2013 and 2014 that the Swiss luxury watch brand is sponsoring celebrated their first day of school on September 13 with a reception hosted by Denis Jaquenoud, president of NAIOSW, and Hugues de Pins, president, Vacheron Constantin North America.

The North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking opened its doors in 2009 with a mission to preserve the art of fine watchmaking and meet an increasing demand for qualified watchmakers and craftspeople. The program accepts only six students per year to guarantee ample one-on-one training.

Vacheron Constantin will mentor and educate students about the watchmaker’s career from a brand perspective. The brand will supply educational tools on high watchmaking topics, such as the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, founded in 1887. Students who graduate at the top of their class will be invited to Vacheron Constantin in Geneva for a three-week “Discovery Internship.”

“This partnership is faithful to our values of perpetuating the tradition of high watchmaking and transmitting the know-how of our watchmakers,” de Pins said.

Two certificates are offered at the NAIOSW: the Watch Encasing Technician Certificate which requires 640 hours of training over four months, and the Watchmaker Certificate which requires 3,000 hours over two years. The two-year Watchmaker program provides advance education and training. Both programs meet the exacting requirements of the "Swiss Made" standard and feature a student-centered learning environment based on theory and experience. The Institute’s trainers have a more than 50 years of watchmaking and teaching experience combined.

The NAIOSW is part of The Institute of Swiss Watchmaking, founded in 2008 in partnership with Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program, an independent institution based in Switzerland. WOSTEP partners with watchmaking schools throughout the world to ensure high training standards and quality education in accordance with the demanding criteria of the Swiss fine watchmaking industry.

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