Some of the most common questions I get from readers of this blog are related to watchmaking school, what the admission process is and how they can become a watchmaker. This is exciting for me because there is a great need for watchmakers and one of my reasons for maintaing this blog is to encourage people to think about the profession of watchmaking. I’ll make an endeavor here to answer some of these types of questions.
I am interested in watch making as a hobby rather than as a profession. Of course, I don’t expect to ever achieve the expertise of a true professional, but could you suggest how to begin studying watch making on my own, please?
learning for free is often a choice that is dismissed far too often these days. learning a skill is your payment! i think i’m the only person i know who views knowledge as something of value.
I would certainly learn to be a watchmaker for free, even if it were only 1-2 days per week and it took me 20 years.
it’s not about the money, for me. doing something I enjoy doing is no more rewarding to me if I do it for money.
i am as i have written in the past a retired machinist and i guess a hobbiest, have collected many vintage watches and have learned to fix much,being 65 this month and having worked all my life, this fills my time and my need to be productive. have done everything short of disassembly ,cleaning, and reassenbly of a complete mechanical movement, this is my goal this week, ive been at this for over a year and my passion grows as i have accumulated many valuable movements in need of attention, found a website, titled how to clean and oil a mechanical watch. it takes you step by step. will attempt this feat soon, it suggests a pocket watch movement to start with, as i have many this is my plan. will keep you posted on an old mans passion and progress thanks Eddie Boykin
Thank you all for the comments. — As for watch repair as a hobby you’re all on your own. I don’t know anything about that. Certainly if you want to play around with some old inexpensive watches for fun, by all means. I did that kind of stuff myself before I became a watchmaker. Just be aware that you may do as much damage as good, especially in the beginning. I can’t blame you for wanting to work with watches, it’s fun! Hobbies you enjoy can sometimes make good jobs as long as the don’t turn into something you despise.
Hi Jp, I have been following the last 2 years of WOSTEP and of the schools in Switzerland quite intently. My one BIG question to all of them…’Where are the Trainers’??
They just do not have access to them! In the US, people are saying, enough is enough BS..and going their separate ways. SAWTA looks like a nice programme, but too heavily reliant on Rolex. I daresay, that Richemont will be the same..too reliant on Cartier. In my opinion, Cartier SAV used to be a force to contend with, not anymore! After they started exchanging movements for servicing, their prowess went out the window. A junior technician can do servicing with Richemont. Whereas, the idea is great, about exchanging movements- quality wise, Switzerland can then concentrate on servicing on a more uniform quality worldwide, but, the watchmaker’s skills and prowess are virtually eliminated! Rolex, on the other hand, need hands on experienced watchmakers, and no amount of BS’ing will do. You have to get the quality right.
The SAV games some watch companies play, in my opinion, the real games have just about started, Cheers for a very interesting position on this!
Prem
Very nice page and Thank you for all the info I have read here. Mr Peter…I have wanted to be a watchmaker for some time now. I applied at Lititz and had my phone Interview, now im going in March 2009 for in the person interview. I just would like to say you and your bloggers inspired me even more to persue this. I hope I make It… Im 40 and want this really bad. I feel I have the nitch for it! I love times peices Watches,clocks it is so fun. Thx Rob L.
The questions are going to be pretty general. They want to know why you want to be a watchmaker. What you see yourself doing when you graduate. They want to see if you can communicate professionally. I wouldn’t be too worried be yourself.
I am curious.. what is the starting salary for a job like this? I’m guessing 40-60K range depending on your geographic location (bigger cities paying more). In this economy though, it’s pretty scary to think about. I can’t imagine people are buying any luxury items right now, but maybe there are still people getting them serviced.
I want to love what I do as much as the next guy (if not more), but I don’t want to be poor either.
Jim, You are spot on. I also have pretty good benefits to go with that. There are plenty of watchmakers in the 6 figure range once you have enough experience that you can work on high end restorations and such.
Thank you so much.. by the by, I’m going for my testing at LWT end of March.. we shall see how it goes. How is the math on the written test? The phone interview went very well.
If anyone else is going for Friday March 27th, I’ll be in town March 26th PM. It might be cool to grab a drink or some food. James.colangelo@gmail.com
Hi there, I’m studying horology in the UK at the moment and am looking to get a job in the watch servicing field. My course is not aimed specifically at this area so I shall be looking for a job with which I can get some suplementary training. Could you give me any tip or pointers or maybe addresses of where I could land a job like this?
Steve, what exactly is the focus of your coursework?
The best place to gain additional training is to get a job in a service center, either for a brand of one that maintains trade accounts. If you don’t have the skills to go out on your own it would be difficult to find a position where you will learn additional skills. Possibly if you could work with a master watchmaker you could learn much from him/her.
Hi,
Just wanted to let everyone know that I’m going to Lititz On March 27th for testing and such.I am a little nervous about it… but I will be ok. I am USMC Vet and have been on alot of oral type boards but WOW! this seems to be more nerve racking for me, I just want it so bad! I will let you all know my grateful expeirence I have from trip when I return. Either way it will be an honor to be among so much knowledge.
Thx for the great sight.
Rob
Actually, I have a statement and a question…My husband and I own 2 jewelry stores in California, our oldest son is our jeweler in our Paradise store, our second son is our watchmaker and is currently working for Tourneau in Las Vegas and has attended your school there in Dallas — his name is Nathan William Smith - he will be attending another class at your training center this July. That was my statement, now for my question: Is there a chance that our third son, Micheal Andrew Smith, can attend your training center? He just graduated from High School and is interested in going into the same profession as his brother. If there is a chance of his being admitted, could you send any materials available to us at: Sierra Gem Co., 1390 Myers St., Oroville, Ca 95965 or e-mail is SIERRAGEMCO@Att.net
Our fax is 530-532-0265 or…Nathan can pick up any materials for us in July when he comes out for your classes. Thank you for your time in reading this and we hope to hear back from you in one form or another.
Nikki
I am interested in becoming a watch maker , Is thee any way to do this online ??? I am a General manager at a watch repair company . We do monor repairs instore , But send some out . Currently I an do Batteries , crystal replacements , hand alignments , replace hands on most watches . sizings and band repair .Change gaskets H2O testing . .etc .. A lot of it i send to our watch center .
I would not have time to go away for school . I live in the Boston area ..
The best way is to go to a full time school. Second best, an apprenticeship. I don’t know of any on-line ways to learn the tasks to become a professional watchmaker. For the hobbyist, there is timezone.com
This is a great site. I live in Rhode Island and have become unemployed (carpenter). Watches have been a passion of mine for many years, and my grandfather was a watchmaker. Not til lately have i been seriously considering it as a career. I have been researching schools and was wondering if anyone had attended the OSU program. They double watchmaking with some general education courses. Also i know they accept financial aid there. I would really appreciate any input. thanks
I begin watchmaking school in january. In september i flew to oklahoma to go through the interview and admissions process. not til three weeks later did i find out i had been accepted. i am so excited. i know it will be a lot of hard work..but its for something i love. I have many old movements and cant wait to bring them with me.
I’m not aware of any short courses in Switzerland except perhaps some brand training for qualified watchmakers. WOSTEP has a 3 year school in Switzerland and a 6 month “Complications course” for graduates of their two or three year program. Beyond that I don’t know of anything, but I haven’t really researched it much.
I am wondering if anyone has gone though the assessment at the nicholas g hayek school. I am just curious about the type of things they want you to do. What kind of math am I looking at? What about the mechanical part of the assessment? should I be practicing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
[...] Talk, regarding how to become a watchmaker, in his post before Valentine’s Day aptly titled So you want to be a watchmaker. In a comment written by one of our readers, just prior to that post, Philip also asked how the [...]
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I am interested in watch making as a hobby rather than as a profession. Of course, I don’t expect to ever achieve the expertise of a true professional, but could you suggest how to begin studying watch making on my own, please?
http://www.timezonewatchschool.com/WatchSchool/
learning for free is often a choice that is dismissed far too often these days. learning a skill is your payment! i think i’m the only person i know who views knowledge as something of value.
I would certainly learn to be a watchmaker for free, even if it were only 1-2 days per week and it took me 20 years.
it’s not about the money, for me. doing something I enjoy doing is no more rewarding to me if I do it for money.
i am as i have written in the past a retired machinist and i guess a hobbiest, have collected many vintage watches and have learned to fix much,being 65 this month and having worked all my life, this fills my time and my need to be productive. have done everything short of disassembly ,cleaning, and reassenbly of a complete mechanical movement, this is my goal this week, ive been at this for over a year and my passion grows as i have accumulated many valuable movements in need of attention, found a website, titled how to clean and oil a mechanical watch. it takes you step by step. will attempt this feat soon, it suggests a pocket watch movement to start with, as i have many this is my plan. will keep you posted on an old mans passion and progress thanks Eddie Boykin
Thank you all for the comments. — As for watch repair as a hobby you’re all on your own. I don’t know anything about that. Certainly if you want to play around with some old inexpensive watches for fun, by all means. I did that kind of stuff myself before I became a watchmaker. Just be aware that you may do as much damage as good, especially in the beginning. I can’t blame you for wanting to work with watches, it’s fun! Hobbies you enjoy can sometimes make good jobs as long as the don’t turn into something you despise.
Where is the Richemont Watchmaking School going to be located?
The Richemont school will be at their facility in Dallas, Tx.
J. Peter,
I have a phone interview with LWT this month. Any hints as to what kinds of questions I should expect? Thanks again.
Hi Jp, I have been following the last 2 years of WOSTEP and of the schools in Switzerland quite intently. My one BIG question to all of them…’Where are the Trainers’??
They just do not have access to them! In the US, people are saying, enough is enough BS..and going their separate ways. SAWTA looks like a nice programme, but too heavily reliant on Rolex. I daresay, that Richemont will be the same..too reliant on Cartier. In my opinion, Cartier SAV used to be a force to contend with, not anymore! After they started exchanging movements for servicing, their prowess went out the window. A junior technician can do servicing with Richemont. Whereas, the idea is great, about exchanging movements- quality wise, Switzerland can then concentrate on servicing on a more uniform quality worldwide, but, the watchmaker’s skills and prowess are virtually eliminated! Rolex, on the other hand, need hands on experienced watchmakers, and no amount of BS’ing will do. You have to get the quality right.
The SAV games some watch companies play, in my opinion, the real games have just about started, Cheers for a very interesting position on this!
Prem
Hello,
Very nice page and Thank you for all the info I have read here. Mr Peter…I have wanted to be a watchmaker for some time now. I applied at Lititz and had my phone Interview, now im going in March 2009 for in the person interview. I just would like to say you and your bloggers inspired me even more to persue this. I hope I make It… Im 40 and want this really bad. I feel I have the nitch for it! I love times peices Watches,clocks it is so fun. Thx Rob L.
The questions are going to be pretty general. They want to know why you want to be a watchmaker. What you see yourself doing when you graduate. They want to see if you can communicate professionally. I wouldn’t be too worried be yourself.
Thank you Sir.
Rob
Hi there -
I am curious.. what is the starting salary for a job like this? I’m guessing 40-60K range depending on your geographic location (bigger cities paying more). In this economy though, it’s pretty scary to think about. I can’t imagine people are buying any luxury items right now, but maybe there are still people getting them serviced.
I want to love what I do as much as the next guy (if not more), but I don’t want to be poor either.
Thx!
Jim, You are spot on. I also have pretty good benefits to go with that. There are plenty of watchmakers in the 6 figure range once you have enough experience that you can work on high end restorations and such.
Thank you so much.. by the by, I’m going for my testing at LWT end of March.. we shall see how it goes. How is the math on the written test? The phone interview went very well.
If anyone else is going for Friday March 27th, I’ll be in town March 26th PM. It might be cool to grab a drink or some food. James.colangelo@gmail.com
Jim
Hi there, I’m studying horology in the UK at the moment and am looking to get a job in the watch servicing field. My course is not aimed specifically at this area so I shall be looking for a job with which I can get some suplementary training. Could you give me any tip or pointers or maybe addresses of where I could land a job like this?
Cheers, Steve.
Steve, what exactly is the focus of your coursework?
The best place to gain additional training is to get a job in a service center, either for a brand of one that maintains trade accounts. If you don’t have the skills to go out on your own it would be difficult to find a position where you will learn additional skills. Possibly if you could work with a master watchmaker you could learn much from him/her.
Hi,
Just wanted to let everyone know that I’m going to Lititz On March 27th for testing and such.I am a little nervous about it… but I will be ok. I am USMC Vet and have been on alot of oral type boards but WOW! this seems to be more nerve racking for me, I just want it so bad! I will let you all know my grateful expeirence I have from trip when I return. Either way it will be an honor to be among so much knowledge.
Thx for the great sight.
Rob
Senario:
Interview for a prestigious watch manufacturer…
Why do you want to work for _____ ?
rspv
Actually, I have a statement and a question…My husband and I own 2 jewelry stores in California, our oldest son is our jeweler in our Paradise store, our second son is our watchmaker and is currently working for Tourneau in Las Vegas and has attended your school there in Dallas — his name is Nathan William Smith - he will be attending another class at your training center this July. That was my statement, now for my question: Is there a chance that our third son, Micheal Andrew Smith, can attend your training center? He just graduated from High School and is interested in going into the same profession as his brother. If there is a chance of his being admitted, could you send any materials available to us at: Sierra Gem Co., 1390 Myers St., Oroville, Ca 95965 or e-mail is SIERRAGEMCO@Att.net
Our fax is 530-532-0265 or…Nathan can pick up any materials for us in July when he comes out for your classes. Thank you for your time in reading this and we hope to hear back from you in one form or another.
Nikki
I am interested in becoming a watch maker , Is thee any way to do this online ??? I am a General manager at a watch repair company . We do monor repairs instore , But send some out . Currently I an do Batteries , crystal replacements , hand alignments , replace hands on most watches . sizings and band repair .Change gaskets H2O testing . .etc .. A lot of it i send to our watch center .
I would not have time to go away for school . I live in the Boston area ..
I am in no way affiliated with any watchmaking schools. If you read the post you will find contact information for each of he schools.
The best way is to go to a full time school. Second best, an apprenticeship. I don’t know of any on-line ways to learn the tasks to become a professional watchmaker. For the hobbyist, there is timezone.com
This is a great site. I live in Rhode Island and have become unemployed (carpenter). Watches have been a passion of mine for many years, and my grandfather was a watchmaker. Not til lately have i been seriously considering it as a career. I have been researching schools and was wondering if anyone had attended the OSU program. They double watchmaking with some general education courses. Also i know they accept financial aid there. I would really appreciate any input. thanks
hi
i am living in los Angeles, california. do you know any watchmiking shools in california.
thank you
The only ones I know about are the ones in this post.
I begin watchmaking school in january. In september i flew to oklahoma to go through the interview and admissions process. not til three weeks later did i find out i had been accepted. i am so excited. i know it will be a lot of hard work..but its for something i love. I have many old movements and cant wait to bring them with me.
hey…i was wondering if there is any watchmaking workshops or short courses on it in switzerland?
I’m not aware of any short courses in Switzerland except perhaps some brand training for qualified watchmakers. WOSTEP has a 3 year school in Switzerland and a 6 month “Complications course” for graduates of their two or three year program. Beyond that I don’t know of anything, but I haven’t really researched it much.
I am wondering if anyone has gone though the assessment at the nicholas g hayek school. I am just curious about the type of things they want you to do. What kind of math am I looking at? What about the mechanical part of the assessment? should I be practicing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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[...] Talk, regarding how to become a watchmaker, in his post before Valentine’s Day aptly titled So you want to be a watchmaker. In a comment written by one of our readers, just prior to that post, Philip also asked how the [...]
[...] of our most popular posts here on the blog have to do with watchmaking schools, of which there are very few left in the [...]
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