Mark Your Calendars: The FHH Watch Summit is Coming to NYC
The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie continues to expand its global presence with a day-long event during NYC’s biggest week of watch events.
By Cait Bazemore
Contributor
The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and community engagement. Its headquarters are quite literally in the heart of downtown Geneva, gorgeously positioned right on the water. Here, in the epicenter of watchmaking, the FHH has been a significant presence for two decades, with 2025 marking the organization’s 20th anniversary year.
In particular, over the past five years, the FHH has been making major moves to expand beyond its Swiss borders. For instance, the non-profit inaugurated its Watches and Culture component in 2021, encompassing events and international meetings for the general public and professionals alike.
Additionally, it launched the official FHH Academy, offering training courses and certifications (in person and online) in over 20 countries. The FHH extends to the full watchmaking community with its own forum.
The US market has been a specific area of focus for the FHH to gain greater visibility among American collectors and industry professionals. So, this month, the organization will host its largest event in the country to date, the day-long FHH New York Watch Summit, during the week of WatchTime New York and WindUp NYC.
The Kickoff
The day before the summit, the FHH will host a preliminary event at the Swiss Institute on Thursday, October 16, from 6 to 9 pm, local time. Here, as part of its Watches and Culture initiatives, the FHH will host a relaxed and informal panel discussion with four remarkable speakers from the world of watchmaking.
This event is open to all; you need only register. Panelists have yet to be announced, but the evening is sure to be both educational and fun, serving as a kickoff to the summit the following day.
The Main Event
The official summit will begin the following morning, Friday, October 17, at 11 am at Glasshouse Chelsea, with opening remarks from the FHH and Ambassador Niculin Jaeger, Consul General of Switzerland in New York, followed by a keynote address from Thomai Serdari, Academic Director of MBA Business: Luxury & Retail at NYU’s Stern School of Business. This will give way to the first of four panels to be hosted throughout the day.
The initial discussion will address the state of the luxury industry, moderated by Thomai Serdari and featuring insights from Jean-Emmanuel Biondi of Deloitte Consulting, Wei Koh, Founder of Revolution and The Rake Magazines, and Patrick Pruniaux, Chairman and CEO of Sowind Group (which is the parent company of Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin). This will be immediately followed by the second panel, hosted by Women’s Wear Daily, on today’s evolving luxury consumer.
After a lunch and networking break, guests can enjoy the third panel discussion on the rise of the secondary market, moderated by Cameron Barr of Craft + Tailored in conversation with influencer Georgia Benjamin and James Lamdin of Analog Shift. The final panel of the day, hosted by Hodinkee, will discuss the myths and misconceptions in watchmaking.
The FHH has saved the best for last with an exceptionally fun ending to what is certain to be a fulfilling and enriching day. Closing out the summit, the organization will host one of its famous quiz games, testing participants’ knowledge of the watch industry and culture, from niche technical questions to iconic pop-culture moments. Thus, the day will end on a high note with the community coming together in playful competition ahead of the opening night of WatchTime.
How to Attend
The FHH Watch Summit is also open to all – collectors, enthusiasts, and industry professionals alike. You are welcome to attend any and all portions of the summit, whether you want to enjoy one particular panel or mingle with fellow watch lovers for the day.
To join in on the event, registration is required but entirely free – it’s a no-brainer. You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of what the FHH has to offer to the NYC watch scene.