Dominique Renaud Foundation - GWD 2025

Neuchatel, Thursday, September 11th (10 AM CET) – The first edition of Amplitude, the symposium held under the patronage of the Dominique Renaud Foundation on Saturday, September 6th during the Geneva Watch Days, was an overwhelming success. With a full house in attendance, the event confirmed the growing interest in the exploration of the representation of time, a subject that resonates far beyond the boundaries of watchmaking. The quality and depth of the discussions were praised by participants, establishing this inaugural edition as a milestone in bringing fresh perspectives into the world of horology.

The program unfolded in three key moments: a keynote lecture, a round table, and the presentation of a partnership with ENSCI – École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle of Paris. Each segment offered unique insights and opened new horizons for dialogue between craftsmanship, design, philosophy, and storytelling. The rich exchanges emphasized how the representation of time can be reinterpreted across disciplines, inspiring both professionals and enthusiasts.

At the heart of the symposium was the headline participation of Sylvain Tesson, acclaimed French writer and adventurer, and author of Les piliers de la mer (Albin Michel, 2025). For many attendees, the opportunity to hear Tesson connect his literary exploration of time with the broader reflections of the panel was one of the highlights of Geneva Watch Days. Alongside him, the round table featured Noëlle Revaz and François-Henri Désérable, two distinguished writers whose complementary points of view captivated the audience.

A particularly inspiring moment came with the intervention of two ENSCI students, who presented the school’s educational partnership with the Foundation. Their presentation highlighted a project in which young designers developed concepts around the representation of time, with one project selected to be incubated by Dominique Renaud and his team. This initiative powerfully illustrated the Foundation’s mission to support creation, innovation, and collaboration in watchmaking by opening its doors to voices from outside the industry, fostering fresh perspectives and cross-disciplinary dialogue.

The resounding success of this first edition confirms that Amplitude will continue with future editions, each dedicated to a different theme related to time and its many dimensions. The next edition will take place in 2026 with the participation of Sylvain Tesson. To extend the reach of the conversation internationally, the full conference is now available on YouTube, complete with subtitles and transcript, offering a global audience the opportunity to revisit the event and share in the inspiration that made this first symposium unforgettable. Link to the full conference: https://youtu.be/LMxM43jCQvI

About the Speakers

Sylvain Tesson is a French writer, traveler, and essayist, best known for “The Consolations of the Forest” (2011) and “On the Wandering Paths” (2022). His latest novel, “Les piliers de la mer”, will be published by Albin Michel in 2025.

Noëlle Revaz is a Swiss writer who plays with time and escapes it through imagination. Her debut novel “With the Animals” won numerous prizes and was adapted for stage and cinema. In 2022, she received the Gottfried Keller Prize for her “highly original” body of work. In 2023, “Auto portrait avec artiste” was published by Art&Fiction.

François-Henri Désérable is a French writer and screenwriter, recipient of multiple literary awards, including for “Un certain M. Piekielny” (2017) and “Mon maître et mon vainqueur” (2021), which received the Grand Prix du roman de l’Académie française. His latest work, “Chagrin d’un chant inachevé”, was published by Gallimard in 2025.

The event was hosted by Louise Ekland, an energetic character blending warmth and wit to make the moment vibrant and compelling. A bilingual journalist and TV presenter, she currently co-hosts France’s most iconic morning show. With over 15 years of experience interviewing global leaders and cultural icons, she brought her unique energy and curiosity to this event.

Conceived by Pierre-Henri Verlhac, this inaugural edition laid the foundations for an intellectual and cultural adventure built to last. A committed producer and publisher, he envisioned the symposium as a reflective interlude to examine time in all its guises, beyond disciplinary boundaries. In partnership with the Dominique Renaud Foundation, he aims to make this gathering a long-term fixture and to turn each edition into an inspiring pause—a place where writers, scholars, artists, and artisans explore time to feed the imagination and broaden horizons, well beyond horology.