Swiss horology enters Bahrain classrooms

TDT | Manama

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Qannati Objet d’Art has partnered with Bahrain Polytechnic to host Swiss horology master Pierre Christe for a week-long watchmaking residency, marking a milestone in luxury craftsmanship education in the Gulf.

The residency, which began on Sunday at Qannati Lab on the Bahrain Polytechnic campus, will run until Thursday. It gives students a rare opportunity to learn fine watchmaking techniques—such as movement assembly and finishing—directly from a certified trainer of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) and instructor at Switzerland’s WOSTEP.

Hands-On Breakthrough

Qannati Lab is the first practical horology education and production centre in the GCC. Its goal is to position Bahrain as a future hub for high-end watchmaking. The programme also aims to bridge Swiss-level craftsmanship with Gulf-based talent.

“We are honoured to host a figure of Pierre’s standing,” said Mahmood Qannati, founder of Qannati Objet d’Art. “This partnership brings global mastery to local hands and signals a new era for horological education in the region.”

National Vision Bahrain Polytechnic CEO Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said the collaboration reflects the institution’s mission to prepare skilled graduates in future-focused industries, including luxury design and creative technology. The initiative aligns with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy through innovation and non-oil sectors.

Supported by the Polytechnic’s academic infrastructure and cross-disciplinary teams, the residency is part of Qannati’s broader effort to elevate Bahrain’s standing in the world of haute horlogerie.

The programme also follows Qannati Lab’s international recognition in The New York Times, which highlighted it as the region’s first serious effort to bring luxury watchmaking education to the GCC.