The Bulgari Watch Academy, dedicated to apprentices

Watchmakers, micromechanics, watch decoration finishers, draughtsmen, IT specialists and logisticians are currently being trained at Bulgari’s three sites in Switzerland (Neuchâtel, Le Sentier and Saignelégier). In order to create a link between all its entities and strengthen training, Bulgari has decided to create the Watch Academy, which will not only oversee the apprenticeship of future watchmakers, but also create synergies between apprentices from the brand’s other Maisons, as well as internal training for employees. Eric Cart-Lamy, who specialises in training apprentices and more specifically watchmakers, is in charge of this new project.

With the aim of perpetuating expertise and giving the younger generation the opportunity to train in the best possible conditions, Eric Cart-Lamy will be setting up training centres at Bulgari’s three production sites. This is not his first such endeavour, as he has already had the opportunity to carry out this exercise successfully at other LVMH Group companies. Within this academy, future apprentices will benefit from a dual training programme comprising two days of theory in partner schools and three days of practical experience in the workshop. This course of study will provide optimum follow-up for learners and will also encourage interactivity, so that apprentices can support each other in their studies.

The aim of the Watch Academy is also to create links between apprentices from different Bulgari factories, as well as from different LVMH Group Maisons. Site visits and sharing days will be organised for the young people. Those involved in micromechanics will discover the work of watchmakers, while the latter will learn about the design of cases and dials. Making the link between the various trades involved in designing a timepiece will bring great added value to each learner.

Support for trainers
Apprentices mean trainers and these are not born with the corresponding aptitudes but instead develop them, which is why Eric believes they deserve the utmost attention. To enhance their knowledge, the nine trainers will benefit from further training courses organised by external consultants specialising in training. “It’s important for us to give our trainers all the appropriate assets so that they can succeed in their assignments and we’re going to do everything we can to train our apprentices effectively”, says Eric Cart-Lamy.

Importance of the “triangle” relationship
Eric Cart-Lamy attaches great importance to what he calls the “triangle” relationship. This is made up of the apprentice and his/her parents, the trainers and the school. This equation is vital, which is why the parents of young apprentices are invited to get to know their apprenticeship masters and visit the factories where their children will be following their vocational training. The trainers will be involved in recruiting the future apprentices whom they will follow throughout their training. These encounters are a strength that could prove very useful if the young person were to run into problems during their studies. All the partner schools will also be invited to visit Bulgari’s three production sites. It’s important to create strong links with schools.

Training for employees too
The Watch Academy is aimed primarily at apprentices, but not exclusively. Bulgari believes that the well-being of its personnel is vital. From the same standpoint, the Maison wants to give its employees the opportunity to broaden their knowledge in other areas in order to increase their multi-skilling. This offer will also be part of the Academy’s future services. Generating curiosity also means strengthening the spirit of creativity in everyone, whatever their profession.

The importance of culture in learning
While the quality of learning is paramount for Eric Cart-Lamy, the trainer also attaches great importance to training programmes’ cultural aspects that are all too often non-existent. To date, all of the brand’s apprentices attend Watches and Wonders Geneva, Geneva Watch Days and the EPHJ subcontracting exhibition. They are welcomed on the booths of the group’s Maisons (TAG Heuer, Zenith and Hublot) and given private presentations. Convinced that culture plays a major role in the development of each individual, Eric wants to develop this aspect within the Academy: visits to museums and exhibitions, in partnership with the LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence (IME).

The LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence
Created in 2014 by the LVMH group, the aim of this institute is to pass on the skills of excellence linked to around 30 creative, craft and retail professions. It is primarily aimed at the younger generation, as well as people undertaking professional retraining.

Each of the Group’s Maisons is part of this institute, which also awards apprenticeship diplomas. Every autumn, watchmakers, pastry chefs, fashion designers and winemakers – to name but a few – are invited to receive their precious professional diplomas in Paris. Alongside a grand ceremony, they spend a day learning about the Louis Vuitton Foundation and visiting the TAG Heuer boutique on the Champs-Elysées, for example.

Every year, at the instigation of the IME, one of the group’s companies sponsors the “Masters Games”. This is a time when all the Group’s apprentices – from France, Switzerland, Italy or the United States – work on a common subject in each business area. This year’s sponsor was Sephora. The Maison’s brief based on its claim was “How would you reinterpret The Infinite Power of Beauty?” Eric believes that these “timeless” moments not only bring back wonderful memories for the young people, but also awaken their curiosity and teach them good manners and interpersonal skills.

Training fairs
Offering apprenticeships is one thing, but inspiring people to want to learn a trade is quite another. Convinced that initial contact with teenagers looking for a future career is vital, Eric Cart-Lamy has decided to take part in the Salons de la formation (training fairs), which are held mainly in autumn in cities such as Lausanne and Neuchâtel, as well as the open days at the Ecole d’horlogerie de la Vallée de Joux (companies are invited to come and present dual training courses). As part of these events, which bring together thousands of young people, the Swiss Watch Industry Employers’ Association has a booth on which it presents careers in the industry. Brands offering apprenticeships are invited to take part in these events. Curious visitors can discover the work of watchmakers, micromechanics, jewellers, quality experts, electroplaters and draughtsmen. These are rich and valuable contacts that arouse young people’s curiosity and can lead to internships or apprenticeships.

Eric Cart-Lamy
Trained as a micromechanic at the Vallée de Joux technical school, Eric Cart-Lamy worked at Jaeger-LeCoultre in the machining workshop for the cases of the Reverso model. The company soon entrusted him with the task of training the teams in microtechnology. This was his first step as a teacher, a profession he has never left since. He continued along this path within the Swatch Group, where he helped to create the Breguet & Blancpain Training Centre in the Vallée de Joux. He stayed there for around 15 years. At that time, he went back to school and completed a full watchmaking training course. He spent a short year at Audemars Piguet and arrived at Hublot in 2016, where he set up the Training Centre dedicated to watchmakers.

January 11, 2024