In order to promote and support the haute horology in North America, the world’s oldest manufacturer Vacheron Constantin and the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking (NAIOSW) announced a new, two-year partnership.
By extending its worldwide support of the Institute of Swiss Watchmaking (IOSW), Vacheron Constantin became the first Swiss brand to partner the American branch of the renowned institute, based in Dallas-Fort Worth,Texas. This means that the renowned watchmaker will sponsor Classes of 2013 and 2014, giving the best students a great opportunity to join Vacheron Constantin inGenevafor a 3-week Discovery Internship at the Manufacture.
Besides, Vacheron Constantin is committed to add a new dimension to the Institute, by offering an exquisite mentoring and educating about the watchmaker’s career, as well as by supplying students with important educational tools. “This partnership is faithful to our values of perpetuating the tradition of high watchmaking and transmitting the know-how of our watchmakers”, said Hugues de Pins, the president of Vacheron Constantin North America. “As the first Swiss watchmaker to have started, nearly 200 years ago, trading timepieces in the United States, we are proud to partner with the NAIOSW, to support its mission and create a bridge between our watchmaking apprenticeship initiatives in the U.S. and Switzerland”, said Mr. de Pins.
In order to help preserving the art of fine watchmaking, the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking started with its educational program in 2009, as the part of IOSW, accepting only six students per intake. This highly-selective policy allows each student to get the best possible education, working one-on-one with instructors, who are among the finest in the industry, with more than 50 years of watchmaking and teaching experience combined.
NAIOSW offers two certificates: the Watch Encasing Technician Certificate requires 640 hours of training over four months, while the two-year long program that requires 3,000 hours of training provides the Watchmaker Certificate. Beside the training center in America, theInstituteofSwiss Watchmakingalso offers programs in its Hong Kong school (HKIOSW) andShanghaischool (CNIOSW).
