Comments on: What to Expect as a Watchmaker

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:54:10 +0000

Mirko, look for a post this afternoon on exactly that topic.

By: Mirko

Mirko — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:33:04 +0000

What math skills and formulas do you need to know and use as a wathcmaker?
Can I get some examples?

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:25:45 +0000

In my opinion Rolex is among the most accommodating brands when it comes to spare parts. If you have the skills and a quality workshop you can get Rolex parts. I have it on good authority that this will continue to be the case for many years ahead. I wouldn’t be too worried about the ability to get your Rolex serviced but it is a very good question to ask. Everyone should ask when they purchase their watch what the spare parts and service policies are on the watch they are considering buying.

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:11:39 +0000

With the introduction of the Parachrom Blue hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers, will independent watchmakers be able to obtain these spare parts to service future Rolex calibers?

This should be a consideration for persons contemplating purchasing a Rolex today. Should the person buy a present day stainless steel Sub date, with its KIF and Nivarox, parts which presumably in 10 years time are easily obtainable and still available to independent watchmakers; or should the person purchase the new Day Date II with the improved technology of the Paraflex and Parachrom Blue, and where future servicing would be have to be done almost exclusively by Rolex.

Please enlighten me. Thanks!

By: J.Edwards

J.Edwards — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:28:06 +0000

Did you document your repair of the Breguet pocket watch with any pictures? I have only ever had the pleasure of working on a single Breguet, to date, and it was just a simple chronograph, from the Brown family era, running on a vintage Valjoux calibre. I’m sure that pocket watch must have been a beauty.

By: Philip

Philip — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:43:32 +0000

Thanks fellas. Really excited about seeing the facility. I appreciate the encouragement.

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:27:45 +0000

Sorry, I didn’t address the interview question before. Math is simple algebra with ratios.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:00:55 +0000

Philip,

The math is nothing really. I was there last year and it was all good.

You are going to have a life changing experience at LWT and the folks are just top notch all the way around.

You won’t be the same even if you don’t make the cut. Good luck and the most important thing is to make sure that you take everything in.

I remember every second when I was there with perfect detail. It changed my life for the better, even though I did not make it.

By: wnkt

wnkt — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:04:04 +0000

I believe that people just throw watches away (or in a drawer)when they dont work any more and get a new one. Except for the expensive ones then they think they have to go back to the factory to get fixed.
I actually worked on Timex watches back a couple years after I first started. I got to go to the factory in Little Rock Arkansas and went through a class for several days. All it was was swapping out the movements for a new one.
This was back in 1984-85 or so.
I never got to get my hands on a Rolex.
I was mostly mid to lower end cleaning of watches, Seiko, Bulova’s and the like.

I did a LOT of battery changes ( about 100 a week) and watchband work.

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:44:02 +0000

I think the general trend is for people to return to where they purchased a watch for service. We don’t sell any brands with complications. In general I would most likely not be able to get parts for any modern watch with complications because of the restrictive parts policies of these companies. I did see a vintage 5 minute repeater pocket watch but unfortunately the customer declined to have the work done when they received my estimate. I would love to see some of this stuff but in the environment I work, it just doesn’t come across my bench.

I hope to be able to attend WOSTEP’s complications course at some time at which point I could begin advertising this service and perhaps attract some of the work, but even if I worked for a company like JLC or Patek or VC that produces these watches it would probably take 15 or 20 years to work up to a position where I could service these watches. There are some very skilled watchmakers at PP that have been there for 5 years or more that still only service quartz and basic mechanicals.

If there are other watchmakers who have a much different workload than myself, I would love to hear what kind of stuff you work on.