How to Become a Watchmaker

Have you always wanted to become a master at the art of watchmaking? If you study time or craft watches and other timepieces then you are known as a horologist. This is an elite title to have as a watchmaker. These folks have dedicated a lot of time and effort into learning and studying to earn the right to this title.

The world needs more watchmakers as not many people are considering this as a career anymore, which is such a shame. Why don’t you take a look and see if you have got what it takes to become the next greatest watchmaker? It can certainly be a challenging career to have but the rewards will be amazing

Watchmaking is a career where you will continue learning each and every day until you retire.

The Origins Of Time Keeping…

Humans have always been fascinated by the concept of time and how it works. Telling the time appeared when the first human somehow realized he was already late for work without actually knowing the real-time. 

Back in ancient Egyptian times, it is thought they were the first or one of the first civilizations to have separate parts to a day. They would use the shadows formed from the giant obelisks to tell the time and see what part of the day it was. 

After the obelisks, the Greeks decided they wanted to know the time as well so created sundials. They had the same idea as the obelisks, using shadows to tell the time but they were much smaller and therefore more accessible to everyone. 

The first clock or timepiece thought to be considered the most modern at the time was the pendulum clock. It was created by a Dutch watchmaker and relied on a swinging weight (the pendulum) to measure the time and display it. This stayed the most accurate timepiece until the 20th century. 

Training to Be a Watchmaker

In order to become a watchmaker, there are two options to take. You can become a watchmaker’s apprentice, learning the skills of the trade on the job or the best way is to go to school and learn that way.

If you are unsure whether watchmaking is the career choice for you then the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI) offers short taster sessions and courses so you can dip your toe in the water so to speak and find out if it’s the right choice for you. Watchmaking is not a cheap career move so you really need to be 100% sure before you sign up for any of the longer courses to become qualified. One such taster course is the introduction to watchmaking class. 

America isn’t as well known for watchmaking as Switzerland, however, the AWCI has six schools listed where you can study the maintenance of mechanical wristwatches. These are dotted all over the USA and the schools provide top quality teaching and the tutors have the knowledge and expertise needed to teach about horology. The courses take about 12 to 15 months to complete and the main focus of the course is the maintenance of mechanical wristwatches. 

The schools for watchmaking can be found in the following places around America:

• Quincy, Illinois 
• Lititz, Pennsylvania 
• Fort Worth, Texas
• Seattle, Washington 
• Paris, Texas
• Odessa, Delaware

You can of course look elsewhere to complete your training. If you want to travel and see the world here are the top 5 countries with the best watchmaking schools.

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• Finland 

Testing and Certification for Watchmaking

Testing in America with the AWCI to become a qualified watchmaker requires you to go through rigorous testing which spans over 3 days and you will need to display your abilities in 3 major core areas of watchmaking and you will also need to choose 2 elective categories to be tested in also. The elective categories to choose from are as follows: Case and Bracelet Refinishing, Quartz Service, Balance Staff, Micromechanics, and Water Resistance. 

The hardest and most intense course you can study to become a watchmaker is the WOSTEP which stands for Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Education Program. This course takes two years and you have to pass 5 exams before you can take the final one to get your qualification and accreditation. There are only two schools in America that offer the WOSTEP course, one is located in Texas and the other in Florida. 

We hope this gives you an idea of whether watchmaking is for you and if so which route you would like to go down to fulfill your watchmaking dreams.