News 
Organised during the spring watchmaking week on the sidelines of the Watches and Wonders Geneva trade fair, the qualifying rounds for three microtechnology professions brought together 45 young talents from all over Switzerland. Microtechnology draughtspeople, micromechanics and, for the first time in the history of SwissSkills, quality specialists in microtechnology: three skills, three worlds, one field – and the same desire to excel. Each participant had already passed a rigorous initial selection process to reach this stage.
One day, eight hours, one challenge: to demonstrate the range of skills acquired in training to meet demanding specifications. In the hushed calm of the Palexpo convention centre, concentration was at its peak. Precision, rigor, analytical skills and efficiency were the keynotes of these demanding tests, proposed by the Swiss Watch Industry Employers’ Federation (CP), in collaboration with a panel of experts from across the watch industry. Every detail counted and every minute was precious.
After four days of intense concentration, pinpoint precision and challenges met at an ever-increasing pace, the long-awaited moment finally arrived. The tension was palpable in the Watches and Wonders Geneva auditorium, where the closing ceremony was held. To the sound of strong applause from the audience, the names of the six finalists in each skill were revealed.
There are now only 18 young talents who will proudly represent their skill at the national final. A unique adventure awaits them in Bern from 17 to 21 September, an extraordinary experience in which excellence, passion and team spirit will determine the rest of their journey.
Before meeting up for the grand final, the 18 finalists are about to experience the first chapter of their shared adventure. In May, they will take part in two days of team building, far from workbenches and technical plans. The objective? To think outside the box, get to know each other, create bonds and lay the foundations for a real team dynamic. That’s important because they won’t be alone in the final: six teams will be formed by drawing lots, each consisting of one apprentice from each trade. This combination of profiles and skills will encourage inter-professional collaboration, reflecting the reality of working within a company. A concrete way of cultivating cohesion, complementarity and collective achievement that are all essential pillars of the SwissSkills spirit.
While the qualifying rounds were in full swing at Palexpo, watchmaking was also shining in the city. In the heart of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Watchmaking Village, more than 200 Geneva pupils embarked on a fascinating journey to discover various watchmaking and finishing professions.
Through a mixture of demonstrations, discussions and interactive workshops, the young visitors were able to learn about rare and sometimes little-known skills. Guided by passionate apprentices, they immersed themselves in the world of precision, meticulous workmanship and the sense of a job well done.
It was a moment of transmission and sharing that stirred vocations, raised questions... and delighted an audience stretching well beyond school age, people who came feeling curious and left won over by what they had experienced.
April 24, 2025