Briana Le & Vincent Robert
Written by Bailey Flint
Photographs by Genevie Pintola
and Wesley Kemp
Within the world of art, we can all easily share a similar vision, but how do we each go about expressing it? That is what makes every individual unique. For some people it is through music, others a paintbrush, and for a certain few there is complete construct of modern-day human reality- horology. Since the introduction of digital timepieces, it could be argued watchmaking as a craft and practice has been taken for granted by a significant portion of the population. In today’s era of smartphones and Alexa, the conundrum of telling time at any moment has waned. Yet there are still more wrist watches in America alone than watchmakers. And this could foretell a real problem at hand in the not-too-distant future.
Enter the Horological Society of New York (HSNY). HSNY is a non-profit organization focused on the art of watchmaking, the science of horology and making sure people around the world have access to educational experiences that both spread awareness of watchmaking and invoke new lovers for the art.
With the introduction of digital watches, many people left the craft over the years, but those who stayed have been able to harness their position to create something inviting and outright special. HSNY’s traveling education series is a wonderful and inclusive program that has teachers tour the globe undertaking four-hour classes that dive deep into the inner ticking components of watchmaking for all interested aficionados.
Briana Le & Vincent Robert
Recently the HSNY held classes in Los Angeles at F.P. Journe, their original host several years ago in Miami. As one of the world’s leading luxury brands, F.P. Journe takes great pride in recognizing the importance of continuing the love and appeal of high-level horology. Hosting the HSNY educational series not only serves to propel the wearer into a deeper experience, but also reintroduces those to a true complex artform.
The interest by F.P. Journe adherents has grown in significance that this year a separate class was introduced solely for women interested in watchmaking. Possibly a sign of things to come. As a display of truth to the reality of HSNY’s inclusivity, two of the teachers for this class were Briana Le and Vincent Robert. Art Confidential was happy to sit down with them both to discuss the importance of the educational series.
Although their journeys toward horology are quite different, they both share an immense passion for the craft. Briana says she was, ‘born in a beauty salon and not a hospital’ when talking about her own upbringing. She had little to no idea of watchmaking as a youth and perused a corporate life earning degrees in finance and marketing management. One day she stumbled upon an IWC watch and was astounded by its complexities.
Briana had a close friend who was a watchmaker, yet she had no idea what that truly meant. Her curiosity manifested into a life-changing visit. “This visit led me down a rabbit hole into an Alice in Wonderland type experience that opened my eyes to the world of watchmaking,” Briana says. Briana describes how she saw the beauty of the craft as it opened her eyes to, “the many things that I did not like about the corporate world and how they disappear for a watchmaker.” It took her only 3 weeks into watchmaking school at Nicolas G. Hayek until she was, “completely hooked and I have not looked back since,” Briana happily explains.
"The finish of a watch compares to a beautiful painting."
Vincent’s story is just as exciting but also very different. Born and raised in Switzerland it may come to be less of a surprise that he found his way into watchmaking. Although his birthright, as some may say, never did Vincent truly pursue a career in watchmaking as a youth. “I was a very crafty child and those around me saw this potential,” Vincent explains. “At the age of 15 I was offered to take a test with 100 other students my age for admission to watchmaking school.” Taking up the challenge with blind faith at what could come, he took the test and scored outstandingly. Vincent decided, at that young age, maybe this is something he would enjoy pursuing. After admission to watchmaking school, “I fell in love with the craft as it was a way to express all of my mechanical, scientific and artistic needs,” Vincent reminisces.
With these two very different backgrounds, the pair have found their way into an artform that has helped many from the days of candle alarms to the modern-day clock. They both wish to keep the artform alive and are actively pursuing ways to invite new blood to the table. Through education, HSNY can advance the craft and introduce it to more people. They have outreach programs and scholarships used to support both people and watchmaking schools. Briana proudly discusses how their first grants started at “$5,000 years ago, and now we have built up to $100,000 in 2022.” This monumental increase shows a true effort that has been followed by real success in the space. With their first classes held in a local funeral home in 2014 to now gracing the walls of some of the most exclusive boutiques around the world, keeping the interest alive is evident. From Mountain View to Cambridge, Hong Kong to Melbourne, HSNY plans to continue its Traveling Education Series by visiting new countries and continents. The organization looks to expand its sphere of influence and make watchmaking an available craft to more people within our global community.
With all this talk of technicality and craftmanship, where does art come into the picture? “Art is anything humans make that is elegant,” Briana muses. “Watchmaking is my favourite artform,” she declares, “as the finish of a watch compares to a beautiful painting.” A craft that measures down to the inner functionality which makes each timepiece special. “Understanding art is explaining something as an expression of your mind, whatever format or output,” Vincent adds, “however you express it in a subjective way.” The pair both agree that watchmaking is a very technical artform which requires the highest level of expertise. Moreover, the foundation of the mechanics must be in order before the watchmaker can deeply consider the beauty of the work. “If the watch does not function then it is worthless,” Briana states. At the same time this functionality is what many believe to be the defining factor that separates watchmaking from other artforms.
Luxury brands like F.P. Journe are vital in keeping the art of watchmaking alive for future generations. With the current appeal, by many, of wearing a computer on your wrist, there is still an echelon of artistic brillance in design crafted by the human hand. Briana and Vincent both concur that F.P. Journe was instrumental in paving the way for future locations and hosts of the educational series. “Their support is massively important and they believe in our mission. Without educating the collectors and public on how things work, the art is lost,” Briana states. “Francois Paul taught the class himself at the New York headquarters several years ago. It was part of an auction for avid enthusiasts.” Briana lovingly jokes, “Maybe we will take apart a Journe in a future class?”
Vincent shares Briana’s appreciation for the brand relationship. “They have top integrity in the industry. We are friends, more than just a working relationship. They make us feel at home and supported us as we were emerging once again in 2014. We were much smaller than we are today. They truly value horology education, and they value people that have a passion for watchmaking.”
Once a discipline taught throughout high-schools across the country, the modern-day watchmaker is far and few between. It is an exacting artform taking years to master. “One cannot be in love with the results in watchmaking but must fall for the process,” Vincent explains, as the journey is what makes the whole. Along the quest for timekeeping perfection many may fail, but through consistent advancements and the introduction of new minds to the space, F.P Journe and HSNY are doing their part to insure the artform will continue to prosper. -