Timely Revival: British Watchmaking Rises Again

In today’s digital age, where we mostly check the time by looking at our smartphones, traditional analogue watchmaking might appear as an outdated practice from a past era.

However, instead of fading away, the field of horology is experiencing a revival of interest, as mentioned by the professional. CNN , and the emerging trend of renewed admiration for the artistry of watchmaking is partially being "set off" by Generation Z enthusiasts.

Young saviours

For many years, the watchmaking sector has been concerned about an impending “workforce shortfall” due to retiring veteran craftsmen. However, despite baby boomers still stepping away from the profession, a fresh wave of aficionados is emerging as a vital lifeline for this trade, according to Johann Kunz-Fernandez from the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program. He noted that at this year’s Watches and Wonders—a key annual event in Geneva—there was a significant presence of “many younger individuals,” which contrasts sharply with previous years when such youthful engagement was virtually non-existent.

Experts have "lavished compliments" on a "new wave" of "independent, craftsman-style watchmakers," according to reports; these artisans are all alumni of the esteemed Lycée Edgar Faure, located in eastern France, which is renowned for its horology program. Financial Times Last year. The Finnish School of Watchmaking plans to introduce an English-language watchmaking degree programme later this year, marking its first such offering in over eight decades. According to CNN, potential students from countries including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Turkey, South Korea, and Iran have shown significant interest.

Heavily gendered

Historically, the watchmaking sector has been strongly influenced by gender norms. Despite women having been involved for quite some time—often due to the perception that their smaller hands provided an advantage—they predominantly worked as operators. The role of watchmaker, which carried greater responsibility, was largely reserved for men, according to CNN.

Nonetheless, the Finnish School of Watchmaking reported that women constituted one-third of their applications this year, reflecting an increase in interest among female enthusiasts. In 2023, Shona Taine was admitted as the first woman into the esteemed Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants, a distinguished group comprising independent watchmakers.

When Isra Arif transitioned from her role as an editor to becoming a watchmaker in Pakistan, this shift was not just a simple change of direction, according to reports from the country. The News International , yet it represents a “subtle act of defiance” within an industry that is both specialized and predominantly male-oriented. The contribution of women’s hands isn’t merely unrecognized but also unacknowledged in a domain long dominated by men; however, Arif belongs to a newer cohort aiming to transform this sector, which she envisions having a robust outlook ahead.

Horology represents the ideal blend of precise engineering, innovation, and historical significance," she stated to the newspaper. "The artistic touch and skilled workmanship are elements that technology cannot replicate.

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