Engraving at GIRARD-PERREGAUX
Luxury watchmaking requires technical precision and artistic vision in equal measure. GIRARD-PERREGAUX has earned its standing through decades of commitment to both. The “Passing on the Craft: Inside the School of Applied Arts x Girard-Perregaux Engraving Project” showcases the brand’s approach to training the next generation of engravers—craftspeople who work on watch components with tolerances measured in fractions of millimetres, where a single slip marks a piece permanently.
The Role of Craftsmanship in Watchmaking
Engraving remains a foundational skill in luxury horology. The margin for error is zero. A component damaged during engraving cannot be salvaged. This project demonstrates how experienced artisans teach newcomers to manage the physical and mental demands of the discipline, building the steadiness and discipline required for work that cannot be undone.
The Educational Experience
The School of Applied Arts partnership brings students directly into GIRARD-PERREGAUX’s ecosystem. Rather than learning from textbooks, trainees work with actual components, under supervision, acquiring both technical competency and respect for watchmaking’s historical foundations. Students encounter real challenges—how hand pressure affects tool angle, how steel hardness varies across a plate, how to recognize when a surface is finished. This hands-on exposure builds the judgment that separates competent engravers from accomplished ones.
GIRARD-PERREGAUX’s Commitment to the Craft
The brand has built its reputation by preserving traditional engraving methods while incorporating modern design sensibilities. This education initiative serves a clear purpose: ensuring the pipeline of skilled artisans continues. Without formal training programs, the knowledge accumulated over generations would fragment and disappear. GIRARD-PERREGAUX’s investment in the School of Applied Arts is an investment in its own future as much as in the craft itself.
Why Engraving Matters
Every engraved surface on a GIRARD-PERREGAUX watch carries visible evidence of human skill. Engraving cannot be faked through automation—the variations in depth, the burnish of the metal, the rhythm of the cuts all reflect the engraver’s control and sensitivity. A watch with hand-engraved components tells a story about labour and dedication that polished steel alone cannot convey. Collectors recognize this difference immediately.
Engraving as Heritage and Future
Through initiatives like the School of Applied Arts project, GIRARD-PERREGAUX preserves engraving as a living discipline rather than a historical artifact. Each new generation of trained artisans ensures that the watches produced today will continue to demonstrate the same level of finish quality that defined the brand’s legacy. For those interested in understanding GIRARD-PERREGAUX’s approach to watchmaking, explore GIRARD PERREGAUX to see collections built on this foundation of craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the School of Applied Arts x Girard-Perregaux Engraving Project?
The project is a collaboration between Girard-Perregaux and the School of Applied Arts designed to train a new generation of engravers. Through hands-on experience, students learn the technical skills and historical knowledge necessary to create engravings on watch components while developing an understanding of watchmaking heritage.
Why is engraving important in luxury watchmaking?
Engraving is essential in luxury watches because even minor errors can render a component unusable. Each engraved surface demonstrates the engraver’s control and finesse, distinguishing handcrafted watches from mass-produced alternatives and giving each piece individual character.
How does Girard-Perregaux demonstrate its commitment to craftsmanship?
Girard-Perregaux maintains its reputation by preserving traditional engraving techniques alongside contemporary design. Through the School of Applied Arts partnership, the brand ensures formal training of new artisans, guaranteeing that the skill required to produce its watches continues across generations.
