Bank Julius Baer is launching a scholarship that will enable one talented young watchmaker to spend a year perfecting their trade working with a craftsman or institution of their choice at the end of their professional training in order to perfect their skills. The prize will be awarded at La Chaux-de-Fonds on 18 September 2008, when the international watchmaking Museum presents the 14th Prix Gaïa – one of the industry’s most covered awards for research, initiative and creativity in the field of watchmaking.

Why has Julius Baer decided to offer a scholarship in this field? As Switzerland’s leading dedicated wealth manager with roots dating back to the 19th century, the bank is renowned for is excellence, innovation and tradition – qualities that it shares with Switzerland’s prestigious Swiss watchmaking industry. Furthermore, Julius Baer has been supporting gifted young Swiss artists for several generations and has built up an impressive collection of modern art, part of which went on display recently at Geneva’s Centre d’Art Contemporain. The bank’s admiration for the expert craft of watchmaking and its desire to promote the designers of the future inspired it to launch this new scholarship.

The Julius Baer scholarship consists of CHF 20,000 – a sum which is intended to cover one year of fees, thus providing the recipient with a unique opportunity to perfect their training under the expert guidance of an experienced watchmaker or at an institution of their choice.

A request for applications from young watchmakers completing their apprenticeships or in their qualifying year has been sent to Switzerland's watchmaking schools. Candidates must submit the projects they wish to be considered for the scholarship year by 31 July 2008. The Julius Baer scholarship will be presented on 18 September 2008, during the award ceremony of the prestigious Prix Gaïa at the international watchmaking Museum. It will be awarded by a jury composed of representatives of Bank Julius Baer and the international watchmaking Museum, as well as specialist teachers and leading experts the watchmaking industry.

Candidates are invited to submit their application by 31 July 2008 to the international watchmaking Museum at: Musée international d’horlogerie, case postale 8952, 2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds. For further informations on the regulations that apply to the Prix Gaïa and the Julius Baer scholarship, please contact the Museum's secretariat on +41 (0)32 967 68 61 or consult its website at www.mih.ch.


About Julius Baer
Julius Baer is the leading dedicated wealth manager in Switzerland. The Group, which has roots dating to the nineteenth century, concentrates exclusively on Private Banking and Asset Management for discerning private and institutional clients. With more than 4,000 employees worldwide, the Group managed assets in excess of CHF400 billion at the end of 2007. The Julius Baer Group’s global presence comprises more than 30 locations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia, including Zurich (head office), Buenos Aires, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Lugano, Moscow, New York, Singapore and Tokyo. The core companies of the Group are Bank Julius Baer and GAM, a global leader in active asset management. The shares of Julius Baer Holding Ltd. are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and form part of the SMI (Swiss Market Index) which comprises the 20 largest and most liquid Swiss stocks.

Source: HH – Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie
www.hautehorlegerie.org

For more information:
www.juliusbaer.com