Horological Academy of Independent Creators

When founding the AHCI in 1984, the foundation members, Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese, wanted to prove that, beside industrial watch and clock manufacturing, there was also a need for manual and artistic watch-making and that craftsmanship could still occupy an important place. After the advent of the quartz watches and the crisis of the 70’s there was a new interest for mechanical watches.

A first exhibition took place at the Watch museum of Le Locle in 1985. Today the AHCI unites about 30 idealists coming from 11 different countries. Their existence is based on a solid know-how of classical watch-making. They promote exceptional horological innovations as well as special technical and artistic executions. Their participation since 1987 at the Fair "Basel World" offers every year to collectors and amateurs of authentic horology as well as to the international press the opportunity to get into contact with the true horologists who are there presenting personally their innovations and high grade master pieces.

During these almost 25 years of existence, the AHCI was also present at several exhibitions, mostly on invitation, in Italy, Denmark, France and Austria, the last one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 2008.

By the way, some of the very unusual and exceptional models of the famous watch and clock manufacturers are creations of the horological academicians.