Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants explained
The Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI, English: "Academy of Independent Creators in Watchmaking") is a non-profit association, founded in 1985 by Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese under Swiss civil law. Its mission was to perpetuate the art of independent watch- and clock-making. The AHCI is based in Zürich.[1]
The AHCI is an international institution with 34 Members, 7 honorary members and 6 candidates from over 12 countries.
Goal, membership and elements
Goal of the association
- Promote innovation and skills in watchmaking
- Union of talents to get more presence in the public
- Create recognition for the members
The AHCI also gives the members and the candidates the chance to participate in joint exhibitions.
Membership
The following conditions are needed to become a member:
- Skills in watchmaking
- Independently develops and produces their creations
- The support of two fellow members
- The candidate has to show his pieces in at least 3 public shows
- The duration of the candidature is at least two years
- The general assembly of the AHCI has to approve the new member unanimously
The candidate doesn't need to be a watchmaker by profession. Many famous historical watchmakers has been autodidact (like John Harrison or George Daniels). For this reason the AHCI has members which are scientists or engineers.Only the skills count.
Elements
The central element is the general assembly. The members meets twice a year, in spring at BaselWorld and in autumn at a central meeting location.
Members
The most famous members are the founders and the honorary members George Daniels, Jean Kazes and Peter Schmid. The following members are part of the executive board: Becsei, Eszter; Bray, Robert; Candaux, David; Chaykin, Konstantin; Lederer, Bernhard; Rigotto, Alessandro.
Members
Andersen, Svend
- Andersen, Søren
Asaoka, Hajime;Baumgartner, Felix
Becsei, Aaron
Bray, Robert
Calabrese, Vincent
Chaykin, Konstantin
Valerii Danevych
Delaloye, Nicolas
Dufour, Philippe
Eleta, Miki
Paul Gerber
Haldimann, Beat
Halter, Vianney
Jenni, Marc
Journe, François-Paul
Jutzi, Frank
Kikuno, Masahiro
Klings, Christian
Lang, Marco
Lederer, Bernhard
Ma, Xushu
McGonigle, John
Naeschke, Sebastian
Nienaber, Rainer
Pita, Aniceto
Prescher, Thomas
Preziuso, Antoine
Schlumpf, Florian
Seryn, Luděk
Speake-Marin, Peter
Strehler, Andreas
Voutilainen, Kari
Vyskocil, Volker
Wurtz, Philippe
Honorary members
Daniels, George
- Kazes, Jean
Naeschke, Matthias
Schmid, Peter
Snétivy, Joseph
Tai Yu, Kiu
Van der Klaauw, Christian
Wibmer, Peter
References
- Chronos Spezial – AHCI-Trends – Die Kreativen von Basel..Basel / Genf 2000..S. 115 ff.
- 20 years / 1985–2005 / AHCI – Académie Horlogères Créateurs Indépendants
- Auszüge aus den Statuten der AHCI
- Uhren-Magazin Juni-Ausgabe (Heft 6-2006) S. 34 ff.
- Klassik Uhren – Die Einzelkämpfer – Juni/Juli 2004 S. 28 ff.
- Chronos – Die Unabhängigen – Die AHCI auf der Baselworld – 4/2005 S. 44 ff.
- iW – Chrono Anachronists – Ausstellung in Dresden – Februar 2008 S. 56 ff.
links
Notes and References
- Web site: Home . ahci.ch.
