FHH Watch Knowledge Certification & Horology75

Patrick_y's post highlights the rigorous FHH Watch Knowledge Certification Test, a benchmark for horological expertise within the industry. This article not only delves into the specifics of this challenging certification but also serves as a poignant tribute to the late WatchProSite member, Horology75, celebrating his profound passion for watchmaking knowledge and dedication to the FHH program. Patrick_y's insights offer a unique perspective on the test's structure and the depth of knowledge required.

I’d like to dedicate this post to our former member Horology75.

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie is an organization that serves the watch industry by preserving and sharing watchmaking knowledge to the world.  In its many various activities, such as organizing the Watches and Wonders trade show (formerly known as SIHH) it also provides training and certifications to salespeople who work in the watch industry.  You might have met a salesperson who has an FHH Watch Knowledge Certification – sometimes it’s mentioned on their business card.  

I took the FHH Watch Knowledge Certification Test in February 2023, to study the testing material on behalf of some of our members.  I did not take the courses (which are primarily offered to watch and jewelry sales personnel).  I was very impressed at the thoroughness of the test as it covers history, manufacturing knowledge, operating principles behind the complications, and more.  I was so impressed that I gave a solid recommendation to many of our members who had approached me about the course and the test.  

A little about the test:

·       It’s a thorough test with 160 questions.  The questions come from a bank of 2500 questions.  

·       The test is timed, expect to take many hours of studying (dependent on the level; years of studying at the highest level), the timed test itself takes 120 minutes, and there’s about an a hour of pre-test and post-test paperwork details.  

·       The test is offered in ten languages.  It’s intended for watch and jewelry sales personnel, but collectors can do it too! 

·      There is a cost of approximately $400 per person to do the test.  

·       The answers are multiple choice, with an unusual component, you select your multiple choice answer and your level of confidence.  There are large penalties for guessing.  You can lose double points if you guess incorrectly at a high confidence level.  This makes the test much more difficult!  

·       You can pass the test at the “Certified Watch Advisor” level with a 55% score.

·       You can pass the test at the “Certified Watch Specialist” level with a 70% score.  

·       You can pass the test at the “Certified Watch Expert” level (the highest level) with an 80% score.  

Here’s a quick video that has a little more about the test:

Our former member Horology75 and I shared many similar interests outside of watches; from Lalique crystal, clocks, nixie tubes, luggage, and much more.  I really enjoyed my conversations and my meetings with him.  I have to also say he was an incredible gentleman; after visiting a watch store, he would profusely thank everyone in the store for indulging him, especially remembering to thank the security guard as well.  His family members shared his gracious attitude and did the same.   

 Horology75 attended some courses offered by the FHH and I audited a course as well. We really liked the courses and thought it would be a great way for many watch collectors to understand and appreciate the watch industry more.  This became a frequent point in our conversations (you can only talk so much about Lalique crystal).  The both of us even had a running joke, “sports are about talent, physical skill, and good judgment on the field; but the only skill in watch collecting is pulling out your credit card.”  And we both thought this would be a great way to change that aspect of watch collecting; we both disliked the fact that the currency in watch collecting is who has more special pieces.  We thought that the knowledge from these courses would make watch collecting less about money and who has what, and more about knowledge and appreciation.  

I was very proud of our member Horology75 when he passed his FHH Certification test at the EXPERT (highest) level.  I am also proud to admit that he passed with an even higher score than I did!  He shared with us his impressive achievement here: 

www.watchprosite.com

Our esteemed member wasn’t done with passing at the highest level.  He was really moved by the whole test and the process.  He fiercely believed that if more watch collectors would take the courses, they would understand watchmaking in a deeper way.  I believed the FHH Certification tests were great – not only for retail personnel, but for watch collectors.  

Unfortunately, before either of us would draw up any plans, Horology75 passed away just over a year ago in 2024.  He was young.  It was completely unexpected.  

I miss Horology75, I miss our late night discussions about our mutual interests during COVID, I miss our passionate discussions to bring clarity to an opaque marketing-driven industry, and I miss my friend.  

And I’d like to honor Horology75, by offering advice and guidance to anyone interested in the FHH courses and the FHH Certification test.  Thus, if any of our members have any questions about the FHH Courses and the FHH Certification tests, please put your comments/questions below.  If you have any personal questions, please contact me via Private Message.  

Please learn more about the FHH Courses and Certification here: https://www.watchknowledge-certification.com/

Thank you Horology75!  Sorry it took so long to get this post out!