Comments on: So you want to be a watchmaker? http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/ A mechanical watchmaker in a digital world Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:33:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Adam m http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-53788 Adam m Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:09:21 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-53788 Sorry to bring up an old thread but this popped up on google when I was searching watch repair schools in America. I have always been fascinated with luxury mechanical watches. I was a bench jeweler for a local jewelery designer from new orleans called Mignon Faget about 10 years ago and did it for 3 years before the layoff. I ended up joining the new Orleans fire dept and did it for about 10 years. Now I hurt my back and can no longer perform my duties in a stressfull situation. I have decided to either become a master jeweler or a watch maker. After talking with professionals it looks like horology is the way to go. It seems like there is a need for watch techs and a decent salary that comes with this profession aswell. I'm kinda in a bad situation now with a family and house note and need to decide what to do. Sorry to ramble but it seems that there is alot of experience and knowledge here. Thanks for listening. Sorry to bring up an old thread but this popped up on google when I was searching watch repair schools in America. I have always been fascinated with luxury mechanical watches. I was a bench jeweler for a local jewelery designer from new orleans called Mignon Faget about 10 years ago and did it for 3 years before the layoff. I ended up joining the new Orleans fire dept and did it for about 10 years. Now I hurt my back and can no longer perform my duties in a stressfull situation. I have decided to either become a master jeweler or a watch maker. After talking with professionals it looks like horology is the way to go. It seems like there is a need for watch techs and a decent salary that comes with this profession aswell. I’m kinda in a bad situation now with a family and house note and need to decide what to do. Sorry to ramble but it seems that there is alot of experience and knowledge here. Thanks for listening.

]]> By: Vee http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-46327 Vee Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:19:10 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-46327 My father is a watchmaker. He's been into his craft for 25 years. he started in Russia, loved it, but could not support his family there on the small salary it offered. After a while, 10 years, he was able to get himself and his family here to America. He began working for a watchmaker making $3/hr (in 2000) until his employer raised his wage continuously for a while and then sold him his business. My father recently got certified as a Rolex technician, the only one in the capital of our state, how about that. He's a humble guy though, never wants me to tell people how much he's making, perhaps he still has the Russian mentality of not telling other if you're doing well financially. Once a guy wanted to learn from him and offered to pay $100/hr but my dad had to decline because it would take a lot of his time and money. He makes about $8000/month gross, not bad, but he spends LOTS of time doing it. I'm actually considering taking over the business, because dental school is waaaaaaaaay too expensive. But also because its a beautiful craft. My father is a watchmaker. He’s been into his craft for 25 years. he started in Russia, loved it, but could not support his family there on the small salary it offered. After a while, 10 years, he was able to get himself and his family here to America. He began working for a watchmaker making $3/hr (in 2000) until his employer raised his wage continuously for a while and then sold him his business. My father recently got certified as a Rolex technician, the only one in the capital of our state, how about that. He’s a humble guy though, never wants me to tell people how much he’s making, perhaps he still has the Russian mentality of not telling other if you’re doing well financially. Once a guy wanted to learn from him and offered to pay $100/hr but my dad had to decline because it would take a lot of his time and money. He makes about $8000/month gross, not bad, but he spends LOTS of time doing it. I’m actually considering taking over the business, because dental school is waaaaaaaaay too expensive. But also because its a beautiful craft.

]]> By: Nicu http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-46015 Nicu Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:52:31 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-46015 Hey Peter. I have a lot of questions to you regarding watchmakers. I am interested to know if it is enough to learn at a mechanical engineering university in order to become a watchmaker? Or mechanical engineering has nothing to do with watchmakers? Do you have a link for all the universities in USA and Europe where I can learn for this job. Hey Peter. I have a lot of questions to you regarding watchmakers. I am interested to know if it is enough to learn at a mechanical engineering university in order to become a watchmaker? Or mechanical engineering has nothing to do with watchmakers? Do you have a link for all the universities in USA and Europe where I can learn for this job.

]]> By: Ben Booyens http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-44884 Ben Booyens Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:47:09 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-44884 I would like to make and repair watches for an extra income and there are needs for it in the westcoas area I would like to make and repair watches for an extra income and there are needs for it in the westcoas area

]]> By: Jay http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-34818 Jay Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:15:10 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-34818 The Seattle CC link is broken, this may be the current one: https://northseattle.edu/programs/watch-technology-institute The Seattle CC link is broken, this may be the current one: https://northseattle.edu/programs/watch-technology-institute

]]> By: J.Peter http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-28609 J.Peter Sat, 19 Feb 2011 02:55:07 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-28609 I would contact AWCI and see who the master watchmakers in the area are. Then you would contact them and see if any are willing. I would contact AWCI and see who the master watchmakers in the area are. Then you would contact them and see if any are willing.

]]> By: Jeff http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-28606 Jeff Sat, 19 Feb 2011 02:32:49 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-28606 I am looking for a watchmaker to take on an apprentice in Indiana. Any ideas where to start? I am looking for a watchmaker to take on an apprentice in Indiana. Any ideas where to start?

]]> By: J.Peter http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-23403 J.Peter Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:12:17 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-23403 Certainly the private schools do not offer room or board. I imagine some of the state run schools, especially OSU may be able to offer room and board. Certainly the private schools do not offer room or board. I imagine some of the state run schools, especially OSU may be able to offer room and board.

]]> By: Joe Urias http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-23402 Joe Urias Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:35:48 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-23402 Hello, I am a Computer Technician who has always had a passion for timepieces; I consider them all works of art. I am looking to pursue my dream profession of Watchmaker. My question is will any of the schools mentioned above offer room and board? I currently live in San Diego, CA. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Hello,

I am a Computer Technician who has always had a passion for timepieces; I consider them all works of art. I am looking to pursue my dream profession of Watchmaker. My question is will any of the schools mentioned above offer room and board? I currently live in San Diego, CA. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

]]> By: J.Peter http://watchmakingblog.com/2009/02/13/so-you-want-to-be-a-watchmaker/comment-page-1/#comment-21266 J.Peter Mon, 20 Sep 2010 02:06:54 +0000 http://watchmakingblog.com/?p=772#comment-21266 Maya, I don't see any reason that being hearing impaired would impede your ability to be a watchmaker. In many ways it may make you more attuned to the intricacies of the watch. Your disability may make it harder to study watchmaking but if you can find a school which will accommodate you (any of the state sponsored schools, would probably have to) you could be a great watchmaker. Maya, I don’t see any reason that being hearing impaired would impede your ability to be a watchmaker. In many ways it may make you more attuned to the intricacies of the watch. Your disability may make it harder to study watchmaking but if you can find a school which will accommodate you (any of the state sponsored schools, would probably have to) you could be a great watchmaker.

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