Training · Les Brenets

What you practise at the bench.

Shaping an edge, finishing a flank, checking a reflection. Alexandra Schmitz teaches each operation on watch components, using files, cabrons and a micromotor.

Hands working on the bevel of a watch component
At the bench · the gesture and the component

Employment after training

90%

in an anglage or watch decoration role within six months

Of the 10 private students whose six-month follow-up period has elapsed, 9 found an anglage or watch decoration role within six months of completing training. Of the 13 private students trained in total, 3 are not yet included in this calculation.

Internal follow-up · 6 September 2026. This observed result does not guarantee employment.

A craft to learn. A professional path to build.

Personal support continues until each student finds a role: contact with a network of recruiters, job opportunities and a discussion group connecting students with Art de l’Anglage.

  • 01

    Personal follow-up

    Support continues after the final day of training, until you find a role.

  • 02

    A network of recruiters

    Professional contacts to support your job search.

  • 03

    A community that shares

    Students and Art de l’Anglage exchange vacancies and practical leads in a discussion group.

Choose accurately

What would you like to learn?

Les Brenets, Switzerland · Up to 4 students · Equipment available at the workshop · French or English

An exchange about work at the bench
Discovery day

8 h

CHF 600

Objective
Discover the tools and try the technique.
Audience
Beginners, enthusiasts or professionals trying the workshop method.
Prerequisite
No technical prerequisite.
Progress
First tool handling and individual feedback to choose the next step.

CHF 600 is credited against the price of the 100-hour programme if you enrol later.

A component viewed on the workshop screen
Reference programme

100 h

CHF 8,000

Objective
Build a complete method for hand and micromotor anglage.
Audience
Motivated beginners, career changers and professionals.
Prerequisite
No technical prerequisite; an initial conversation is required.
Progress
A structured method and increasing independence, sustained through regular practice.

View documented 100-hour paths

Art de l’Anglage × BeWatchmaker

Take your craft all the way to your own watch.

BeWatchmaker connects advanced anglage with Alexandra to the assembly of an Ovide watch at Initium. Experience, configuration and budget are assessed together before the project begins.

Explore the BeWatchmaker project

Observe before acting

Read the light before removing material.

As the component changes orientation, the eye learns to read the width, the definition of the bevel, the quality of its transitions and the continuity of the reflection. This diagnosis then guides a precise correction instead of a speculative intervention.

Place your finger on the image — or click and hold — then drag to the right to begin. Move in either direction to follow the reflection. On a computer, use the arrow keys to move step by step.

Ready to observe
The same component under several orientations Observation controlled by hand

Techniques

Understand what each tool does.

01

Hand and micromotor anglage

Shape the bevels, work on their consistency and examine the continuity of the reflection. Exercises and corrections follow your progress.

02

Flank finishing and straight graining

At Art de l’Anglage, flanks are finished with a cabron. “Trait tiré” describes the resulting straight-grained surface.

03

Brouillage and satin finishing

Brouillage of the flanks is practised using a micromotor. Satin finishing is also taught, with the depth of practice adapted to your progress.

04

Polished gouttes and moulures

Polishing gouttes, also called moulures in some workshops and manufactures, forms part of the finishing work. The exercises develop as earlier steps are achieved.

Observe · Correct · Practise

Look at the same detail.

The optical equipment, cameras and screens make it possible to show precisely where a correction is needed. Alexandra links the observed difference to the movement and guides the next attempt.

Work with a monocular loupe complements binocular practice according to your needs, preferences and intended role.

Components and materials

Work on watch components.

The course uses vintage and contemporary watch components. Brass, steel and titanium are all practised during training.

Techniques are taught in line with your progress. The selected duration determines the time available to explore and practise them.

Direct contact

Bring Alexandra a real objective.

Describe what you want to be able to see, execute or correct. She will answer with the next useful step.