The Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH) has entered into a strategic academic collaboration with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) School of Gemology and Jewelry Arts to broaden access to horological education worldwide.
Through the FHH Academy, the educational arm of the FHH, the partnership will bring watchmaking education to GIA students across its global campus network and online. The programme will begin in early 2027 with the FHH Watch Advisor, the Academy’s first level of certification, alongside open sessions led by a dedicated tutor.
The collaboration combines the FHH’s expertise in watchmaking with GIA’s longstanding experience in gemmology and jewellery education. Since its establishment in 2014, the FHH Academy has trained more than 50,000 people and certified over 18,000 across 20 countries. Its programmes cover watchmaking fundamentals, culture and heritage, as well as advanced technical courses.
“Education has always been at the heart of the mission of the FHH,” said Aurélie Streit, Vice President, FHH. She said the collaboration would extend the organisation’s mission while supporting a deeper understanding of watchmaking.
Johanna Levy, VP, Communications & Corporate Affairs at GIA, said the addition of FHH Academy’s horology education complements GIA’s gemmology and jewellery programmes and will introduce its students to watchmaking.
The first initiative marking the collaboration is scheduled for October 2026, with further programme details to be announced.