Text by Takeshi Matsuyama

Hopes for the opening of an academy where students can learn the most advanced techniques in Japan

When you wear your favorite watch or jewelry frequently, it is inevitable that it will sometimes get scratched or broken. But don't worry, many well-made items can be repaired, and even small scratches can be repaired by a skilled craftsman to make it look like new again and restore its shine.

The other day, I went to a repair site operated by the LVMH Group. That day was the opening ceremony for the LVMH Watches & Jewelry Watchmaking Academy, which the group is launching.

The academy was set up within the LVMH service center in Toyocho, Koto Ward, Tokyo, and today was the unveiling day for two young apprentice watchmakers who will be joining the program this year.

In the world of Swiss watches, such newcomers are called "Aplantis," and senior watchmakers provide detailed instruction on the mechanism of the watch, its function, assembly, and adjustment. The two newcomers who enrolled this year were fresh-faced young people who had just graduated from technical high schools. They will be taking classes and doing practical training for the next two years.

It takes a year to learn. Of course, it's not possible to become perfect in just two years, but after graduation, students will hone their skills in the real world together with their seniors.

And because they are paid a decent salary, they can study without worrying about their livelihood.

Deepen your learning in a practical environment using the latest equipment

The academy rooms are lined with the latest equipment for watch repair, so I imagine it would be easy to learn. The group has many luxury watch brands under its umbrella, including Bvlgari, Hublot, Tag Heuer, and Zenith, and overhauls and repairs are carried out at the service center here in Toyocho.

This was my first visit here, and I was surprised to see that there were more watchmakers and jewelers working there than I had imagined. I was shown how people's beloved items brought in are refreshed to look like new.

The person who invited me on this day was Shigeru Hayashi, a watchmaker and long-time friend of mine, and it was clear that the opening of the academy was a project he had been looking forward to for a long time.

Although watches are made of minerals, I can't help but think of them as living things. Just like humans and animals, they can sometimes malfunction, but for example, if they are mechanical watches, many of them have the potential to be repaired. Most simple watches can be repaired in this atelier, but those with extremely complicated mechanisms are sent back to Switzerland.

Because they handle so many brands, the maintenance required must be quite varied, but there are many veterans here and I saw that the workplace was full of energy.

Watching the process of carefully polishing each link of the metal bracelet of the watch, I saw the small scratches disappear and the luster of the link return. When a fine watch is given this kind of care, it will continue to please its owner for a long time.

Once this year's new recruits leave the school, two more will be welcomed and will experience the profound world of watches.

I would like to applaud this new initiative.

What is "Takeshi Matsuyama: What connects people and time"?

A series in which Takeshi Matsuyama, a pioneering Japanese watch journalist, introduces the stories behind watches, people, and brands that he is drawn to from his own unique perspective.

Author profile

Japanese lyricist, writer, and editor. Born in Kyoto in 1946. In 1968, he wrote "Yopparai Returns" with his friends Kazuhiko Kato and Osamu Kitayama of The Folk Crusaders, which became a million-seller. In the 1970s, he was involved in the launch of magazines such as "Popeye" and "Brutus" published by Heibonsha (now Magazine House). Since the 70s, he has been fascinated by the world of mechanical watches, and has been promoting the appeal of watches. His many books include "Porridge of Wisdom and Tea of ​​Thought," "Great Japan Doraku Travelogue," and the play series "Chaai" and "Ororoji."