If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about this industry since stepping behind the red curtain, it’s that it’s not all that the glossed horological PR front makes it out to be. I have had a number of disappointing revelations about my trade since I first set out to become a watchmaker, and my school was […]
Here’s a tool I learned how to use from a jeweler. The Ball peen hammer is very useful for forming rivets. I use it whenever I need to replace a worn rivet in a watch bracelet. This is a useful skill which should be taught in watchmaking school but is not. It […]
I just spent 4 days talking watches from 7am to 11pm. It was fantastic! It was the first time I had attended the AWCI Convention and it was even better than I had expected. It is truly amazing to be surrounded by professional watchmakers (and clockmakers) who work in magnificent situations.
Even before going […]
When I was preparing for graduation from watchmaking school I interviewed for an internship with Rolex. I remember one of the questions they asked me was why I wanted to be a watchmaker. I said something like, “I like the creativity involved and getting to see so many different watches and how they accomplish […]
I’ve spent quite a bit of time talking about my watchmaking school experience but is it the only way to become a watchmaker? Well, no. If you can find a master watchmaker in your area you could apprentice (assuming he is willing.) In today’s world this may be a great opportunity because […]
There have been several articles written on LWT here are links to several I know about:
Business Week - Dec 2006
Bloomberg News - Feb 2005
Professional Jeweler - May 2003
National Jeweler - July 2001
Professional Jeweler - Oct 2003
One of the things about watches is they are tiny. When you need to hold a component firmly (more firmly than you can with tweezers) you often use a pin vise. The most common thing I use pin vises for is to hold a stem when I remove or install a crown, or […]
For the most part watches and their components are fairly small machines. I would never be able to work on them and properly examine the condition of parts without using some magnification. I don’t really use the loupe pictured at top (it is a presentation piece made in sterling silver, it weighs a ton, […]
Not sure where this ad is running, or who it is supposed to appeal to, but it looks like Swatch Group is in need of experienced watchmakers. I guess the six per year they are graduating from the Nicholas G. Hayek School of Watchmaking isn’t enough. I saw the ad on the Swiss […]
I recently received a fantastic book in the mail from Prem Chainani, who has posted some great comments here on Tick Talk. The book is titled High-end horological finishing and decoration. As you can see bug, my three year old, enjoyed the book too.
When I was in school we learned a few basics about […]
