I attended the Lititz Watch Technicum from Sep 2004 to Aug 2006. It was a wonderful experience and I recommend it to anyone who wants a career in watchmaking. The facility is truly amazing and the instruction is the best available. The program is constantly changing so I can’t tell you exactly what it is like today, but they follow the WOSTEP program which involves 3000+ hours of horological training. I attended classes Mon-Fri from 7:30 to 4:30. We spent 6 months working on micromechanical tasks (manufacturing parts) culminating in the completion of our “school watch” project.
The next 18 months are spent disassembling, assembling, oiling, cleaning, and repairing mechanical timepieces. The school is fully funded by Rolex, but stands independent. We spent most of our efforts working on ETA timepieces.
In addition to the schools supplied training movements each student brought in 30 outside timepieces for repair. Although funded by Rolex, there is no guarantee of a job from them, in fact they rarely hire their own graduates. The hope of the school is that you will go work independently (hopefully in a Rolex Jeweler.)
While at school I had to support a wife and son, which was pretty difficult. Lititz is a small town in the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country 
and there are not tons of jobs available. I worked part time in the evenings at the Mercedes Benz dealer in Lancaster in order to (partially) support my family. Needless to say I incurred some debt.
Housing is relatively cheap in Lititz. 2 bedroom apartments can be found from around $500 –1000 / month.
LWT is a European style academy and you will be expected to work hard for the full 8 hour day. You are not allowed to miss class for any reason and there are very few days off. They encourage you to stay late and work on projects, and if at all possible I recommend you do so. I wish I had not had to work while in school because I could have learned even more. You can however complete your work during the scheduled day if you are focused. LWT is looking to train professional watchmakers, not hobbyists, and professionalism is the main thing it takes to get into the school. You need some mechanical aptitude, a strong interest in watches and watchmaking. You need to be able to communicate well both verbally and on paper. Previous watch experience is not necessarily a plus. They don’t want to have to break bad habits. Even if you have previous experience you will be expected to complete all the tasks from the beginning. After completing the application you will participate in a phone interview. If you get invited to come out to Lititz you will complete a mechanical aptitude test and a problem solving and reasoning test, as well as a small math quiz. Yes, some algebra may be required. Then you will have to complete some sort of mechanical tasks, perhaps filing, sawing, turning on a lathe, and some watch work. These tasks are just to see if you can follow instructions and have the potential to become a watchmaker. If you have the opportunity to ask questions, do so. They really like to see that you are anxious to learn. Think of questions for the staff as well as fellow students before you go.
Watchmaking is an exciting profession. I love it! Immediately after school I began as the only watchmaker at Beauchamp Jewelers in Albuquerque, NM. I make plenty to support my family. We have since hired another watchmaker. There is plenty of work out there and I encourage you to join the profession if you can.
I enjoy talking about my experiences at watchmaking school so if you want to know more just post a comment and I’ll respond.
For more about my watchmaking education continue with posts about micromechanics. –>Micromechanics, Part I
25 Comments
Dear Watchmaker: Thankyou for your Tick Talk site. Although in the medical profession, since 2004 I have fallen in love with watchmaking and Micro-Mechanical technology. I almost finnished the Introductory course at Gem City and then dropped out to go to a WOSTEP school. I was admitted but because of difficulties, could not attend. I have attended some AWCI courses. My question is: iS there a way to obtain the micromechanical syllabus used at a WOSTEP school. I would be willing to pay for it. All you can do to assist me with this is greatly appreciated. Thankyou so much. Dennis
Dennis, it would be dishonest (and a violation of my agreement with LWT) to sell you the syllabus from my schooling. I will however post more information about the micromechanical aspects of my education in the comming weeks. Come back soon or Subscribe to this blog so you won’t miss anything.
For more on micromechanics, visit today’s post: on Micromechanics.
Micromechanics Part II
hi there. i come across your site as i’m searching more info on watch making career.
i’m interested to know whether after i completed wostep, is there any job in asia country?
Well, I’m no expert on watchmaking in Asia, but considering that Rolex fully funds two schools in ASIA and Swatch Group funds atleast one as well, I would say yes, definitely. Rolex funds the Tokyo Watch Techncium, and Watchmaking School of Bumbai. Swatch Group has a school in China
In your experience at the Lititz Watch Technicum, did you get a feel for any age requirement? I will be retiring in the next several years and am exploring watchmaking as a second career. Thanks,
Mike
Well, they definitely like young blood but there was at least one student in their 40s and a couple in their low 30s. Average age was probably 25.
Thanks for the informative post! I recently handed in my application and was called back the same week. They were very impressed with my application and said that I didn’t need a phone interview! I I’m now moving onto the next step and visiting the school and also taking tests. Needless to say, I’m very excited!
Is there any tips or info you could give me that would help me out?? Thanks!
Tony, they are always changing things up so I can’t tell you exactly what to expect but this post should give you a good idea.
Thanks Peter. Also, do you know right away if you’re accepted into the school or not?
Tony,
I didn’t find out I was accepted until a month later, probably in May. I think they like to get done with all the interviewing before they make the decisions. They usually interview for a month or two.
After graduating from Lititz Watch Technicum, did you find your job locally or did you have to move? I’m afraid that if I went to school like you did, that I would have to uproot my family to find a job in this field.
Tony,
I moved a long way from home to go to school and returned back close to home to take a job. I don’t know where home is for you but you may very well have to move your family to make this career work. That’s a good question to ask them while you are there for the interview.
I have work experience with mechanics and problem solving but not to good with the math, will that be a major problem when dealing with the testing.
Drew, since I don’t make the admissions decisions I’m not sure how large a factor it is, but it is important to be able to solve for x in basic ratios not just for watchmakingschool but also for watchmaking. Simple algebra using fractions and ratios.
I was wondering if you could give me any information on applying to the LWT? I am a junior in High School, and I would love to persue my hobby as a profession. I am undergoing an appretniceship with a local watchmaker in a few months, but I think that training at the LWT would be amazing. Thanks!
Tony,
Have you heard anything yet?
Peter,
I just took another look at your school project watch photos and noticed that the screws you used for hour markers all have the slots pointing toward the center of the dial. Very nice!
I am interested in making a career change. I have always enjoyed mechanical watches as a hobby and own several fine pieces. The rub is I am 46 yrs old. Do you think I have a chance getting accepted? Is the interview oral and/or a skills test? Does your previous employment matter? Thanks for any comments
Rob, I am not an agent of LWT so I can’t say exactly what their admissions criteria are but I do have some experience with the school.
First, watchmaking is a great career and I think you would enjoy it. Second, many of the watchmaking schools across the country: Oklahoma, Seattle, St. Paul are public universities and therefore will not discriminate by age. The law prohibits private schools from discriminating by age as well, but LWT is not interested in training hobbyists so they are looking for individuals who can still dedicate a full career (25 years) to the craft and will take this into consideration during the admissions process. This having been said, they have admitted at least 1 individual in their 40s in the past, although they definitely prefer younger blood.
As for the admissions process, contact them. You’ll fill out a paper application, you’ll have a phone interview. If they like the first two you’ll have to come out for a visit to the school where you will be interviewed and tested for mechanical aptitude, professionalism, basic math skiills, etc.
Good luck, and don’t limit yourself. If you really want to be a watchmaker, look into many schools both here and abroad.
Thanks for all the info so far but I need to know… Whats the average salary for a watchmaker?
Is tuition expensive? are any scholarships available?
Andy, average starting salary for a watchmaker is probably in the 40K range. 70 to 80 is easily attainable and there are plenty of watchmakers making much more.
As for tuition, that depends on where you go. Every school is different. LWT is tuition free, you only have to get admitted and pay for your tools. Other schools are not really expensive (think community college or state school rates).
i have an question .. i have accepted to enroll in WOSTEP instiite in switzerland and in 5 months i have the 3 days test .. all what i want to know : how does it work on the test just to prepeare my self for this .. i would love to have n answer if u have any idea about this …!?
please reply appreciated … kind regards ..Ibbe
Ibbe,
I never applied to WOSTEP in Switzerland so I am not sure what is involved in their testing procedure. I did apply at two WOSTEP Partnership schools in the U.S. and the testing was different at each.
Just remember to be professional, be interested, ask questions. If they test your mechanical skills or math, be careful.
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