Melissa Kong 20 April 2017

It’s just a download away.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about horology but were too shy or embarrassed to ask, here’s the perfect solution: the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) has just launched a ‘Watch Essentials’ training app. Designed as much for professionals as for watch newbies eager to boost their horological knowledge, topics range from basics like ‘Terminology’ and ‘External Parts’, to in-depth subjects like ‘Complications’ and ‘Market Players’.

Keen to test our own watch knowledge (yes, writers always need a little reassurance!), we took the app for a spin and ended up spending an entire morning engrossed in its interactivity and ease of use. Each section starts with a video, followed by a quiz. Score enough points and you get to move on to the next section. With each completed stage, you earn a component for the virtual watch you get to build. It’s fun, engaging and no, we didn’t score full marks in every section (oops).

As a special offer, the first 1,000 people to complete all the levels before June 30, 2017 will be eligible to take the HH Certification for free (usually CHF 385). Not a bad deal at all if, like us, you have an inner watch nerd that enjoys a little challenge once in a while.

The Watch Essentials app is available as a free download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store with versions in French, English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.