Comments on: On A Journey To Become A Watchmaker..

By: Aaron Weikart

Aaron Weikart — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:14:00 +0000

Thank you for your response! Being professional and mature has never been an issue with me, nor has doing what I’m told. You could even say its ruined my life, it is not often you see a 16 year old with a passion for fine time-pieces. I look forward in further reading tony’s updates, and I thank you for all your very informative posts, Mr. Peter.

Thank you again!
-Aaron

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:53:01 +0000

There were some students right out of high school in my LWT class. Experience is not as important as maturity and professionalism. It is hard work and a certain level of maturity is necessary. If you have the drive and the desire, I would go for it.

By: Aaron Weikart

Aaron Weikart — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:52:05 +0000

Very interesting reading this blog. I am very passionate and knowledgeable about fine time-pieces, and in the past few years, my interest in being a professional watchmaker has amplified considerably. I am thinking about applying for the LWT. I am a junior in high-school, graduating in 2010. In one of your comments, you say your the youngest at 22. Do you need any prior experience, or can you apply fresh out of high-school? My interest and passion for this profession is getting stronger and stronger, and I feel as if my steady-hand, hard-working nature, determination, and my ability to fix anything can truly be all put to good use in the profession of watchmaking. Thank you for your blog, it will be great to find out exactly what I am in for. Thanks for reading my long boring comment if you get to this point, I truly am curious.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:56:58 +0000

J.Peter is correct. They want people that have a strong interest in watchmaking. People with backgrounds in watchmaking tend to come in and think they know how to do this or that. I believe LWT likes to teach fresh new minds to instill their practices and professionalism.
Of course having some experience is nice but the desire, interest, and hard work is more of what they’re looking for.

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:33:09 +0000

Reece, I am a graduate of LWT, where Tony is studying and I would say a lack of experience is really a good thing when going to watchmaking school. They want people who are professional and have a strong interest in watches. Experience is definitely not a requirement. You might check out my post about LWT.

By: Reece

Reece — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:19:54 +0000

Tony, or anyone in watchmaking school for that matter, did you have any prior watchmaking experience before applying to Watchmaking school? And did you apply to any other schools? I want to get into this, but am curious if someone without watchmaking experience has a chance of getting accepted. Thanks-Reece.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:19:58 +0000

Thanks for all the wishes!

Dennis,

The average age in my class is about 30-32 years old. I’m in the lower spectrum of the group as I’m 22 years old.

The enrollment process can take some time and may take a few months or more. Your application gets sent in first, then you have a phone interview, after that is your school visitation. You would come in, tour the school, meet the faculty, and take some tests. This will measure your mechanical aptitude, patience, and basic problem solving. After that is the wait. :]

There are only 12 slots available for students. They narrow that down from about 100 applicants so make sure you make a good impression and most importantly, a strong desire and dedication for this.

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:21:55 +0000

Congratulations, Tony. Your vice exercise sounds like a scene from the Karate Kid. Enjoy, and keep us up to date.

By: alan

alan — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:22:12 +0000

Thanks for this great information! I applied at the WTI at NSCC and was accepted. I had hoped to get in this year but time constraints and other ‘grown up’ issues prevented me from doing so. But if all goes well, I should be moving out there and starting class Sept, 2009. I really look forward to reading what you go through your first year there at Lititz. Good luck!

side note – I will be leaving a career in IT to start this as well, Dennis. I will be 28 at the time I start the course. One of the students there when I applied appeared to be in his 50s.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:20:21 +0000

Awesome! I look forward to reading your posts. I too am learning to be a watchmaker, but alas I can only do it in my spare time (no pun intended) at facilities provided by the wonderful Epping Forest Horology Club, here in England. http://www.efhc.org.uk/