American Watchmaking Schools Update 2024- Learn to be a Watchmaker
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Cameron Weiss, master watchmaker and founder of family-owned Weiss Watch Company, dives into watchmaking in this new series.
"How did you become a watchmaker?" is probably the question Cameron is asked the most. In this episode, he gives an updated overview of some of the school and training options available in the USA. If you're interested in becoming a watchmaker, this video is a great starting point to learn about options available in the US.
Directed, shot, edited by Andrew Reed at the Weiss Watch Company workshop in Nashville, TN. weisswatchcomp... #watchmaker #watch #watchrepair #watchmaking #craftsman
Sept 2024 Veterans Watchmaking Initiative Update: Spoke with admissions, you test for an admissions spot. If selected you attend a 6 week Quartz Technician class as the prerequisite to the full Watchmaker Program that lasts 16 months. There COULD be as much as a 1.5 to 2 year waiting period between both programs, but you must complete the 6 week course to be considered for their regular program.
You should offer training workshops too. I even work in Nashville and would love the ability to learn more. I don't have a dedicated watchmaker where I work so the ability to learn beyond my classes at awci are limited
Amazing video in a beautiful organized bench, thanks for the update ❤
I hope u share some informations about those who learned watchmaking by apprenticeship, how they can get some certifications ❤
I am so close to the RICHEMONT program, I can taste it. Hopefully I am one of the few that makes it through to September.
If you don't get accepted keep reapplying brother. Don't stop. Our classes are staggered and there is a new class starting every few months so if you are close it is just a matter of time if your name keeps popping up. I graduated from the first 1800 hr course they offered and now I help process veteran education benefits for the school when vets come through the program. Hope I end up seeing you.
@@Delta11C1I am a veteran with full GI bill, I definitely want to apply . Disability rating 90%
I graduated the inaugural 1800 hr course offered at Richemont. I've been on the Cartier team at the RTC for about a year and a half. I also continue to assist the school as a veteran coordinator when vets come through the program.
We did about 10 weeks of micromechanics but only hand skills, no lathe work. Filing round bar into a cube by hand, made a plate to specified dimensions and finish and had to drill holes and friction fit pins into the holes, making screwdriver blades etc.
I can adjust and manipulate hairsprings, poise the balance and adjust the escapement but I can't vibrate a hairspring or fabricate a balance, balance staff or any wheels.
These are things that just don't come up in the RTC when we have balance-completes and parts in general in abundance and so they felt it was a waste of time and therefore money to train us to do it. But now I sorta feel like a stunted watchmaker tbh. My WOSTEP certificate says "Watchmaker" despite being an 1800hr cert but I'm really just a slightly over qualified, skilled technician. Restoration is my ultimate goal, so at some point in the next couple years I and some of my classmates of like mind will be using vacation time to take the AWCI lathe courses to round out our skill sets.
A little more info about the Richemont program. If you are a veteran and are accepted into the Richemont NAIOSW (North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking) you can use your VA education benefits while in school. There is no tuition because each class is sponsored by one of our brands so this may not seem like much. However you will still be eligible to receive the monthly housing allowance while in school which is equivalent to BAH for an E-5 with dependents. It was like $2k/month for me a couple years ago when I was in school.
For veterans there is also the Veteran Watchmaker Initiative in Delaware. I believe it is technician level education ( I don't remember what cert they give off the top of my head though) and supported by Bulova. Sam Canaan is the director and is good people. I was getting ready to apply there when I found out I was local to Richemont a few years ago and decide to give it a shot first.
Awesome info. I have a Skype interview with Veterans Watchmaking Initiative next week and I'm also going to apply with Richemont. I'm a Military Police Veteran, served during Desert Shield and D. Storm.
@@sophiasocal68 Awesome!!! We literally can't train people fast enough. If you get rejected re-apply over and over. I don't know how often VWI has new classes starting, but here at the RTC we have three classrooms and our classes are staggered so there are three graduations a year. Every 3-4 months one class graduates and a new class starts.
@Delta11C1 Will definitely apply to every school I can. Today is my Skype interview with VWI. I'm looking forward to applying over and over until I'm accepted SOMEWHERE! I've decided watchmaking is where my passion exists. Appreciate all the great info. Since my last post I've applied at NAIOSW and waiting to hear back from them. What an exciting time to be in Horology!
I am in Canada Toronto… i really wanted to go into this study field and get a full time job for this watchmaking.. too bad I can’t due to that Toronto do not have any school for this. 😢
Great Video! Are there any online course you would recommend?
It seems the US and Europe is really the only way to get an education and qualifications in this field. I’ve reached out to nearly every watchmaker, and watch and clock groups. I’ve been rejected as an apprentice. I’ve had my membership for official watchmaker groups and associations refunded to me because I don’t work in the industry. Here in Australia, my only option has been self learning and online courses, while sufficient to some degree, do not offer any official certifications nor does self learning give me a real chance to learn apart from coming across my own problems along the way in a movement I might have purchased with some known and unknown problems to diagnose and resolve.
Hi. I know the feeling. I'm South African and because of my nationality I can't get in to a school anywhere. Without paying a fortune.
@@clintpeters634it’s unfortunate, regardless what the reasoning is.
What about the veterans watchmakers?
Yes Sam Cannan is the director at Veteran Watchmaker Initiative he is super good people, should have definitely been mentioned as a solid technician track option.
It’s probably so hard to get in
Thank you Cameron for the kind words.
Thanks Cameron .
Great video! 👍🏻
Super informative video, thank you. It’s crazy we have only one college left in Seattle.
What about Tick Tock Tech, which I heard about on the Rocky & Bullwinkle show? 😃
Great consistent media. Curent Pathways used by Canadians ?
Just a curiosity about Rolex. The technicians will be trained to work at Rolex authorized dealers. Rolex has been closing service centers and transitioning to service in the authorized dealers. Do you have any information about Lititz?
Yes, watch the video for info on Lititz. In short, it is closed.
Just curious why you made no mention at all about the AWCI and their education. You mentioned the CW21 certificate, which is exclusively available through the AWCI, but said nothing of them as an education choice.
AWCI was mentioned in my previous video about how to become a watchmaker in the USA. There have been no updates or changes to AWCI options that I know of, and this is just an update video.
Orrrr you could teach us I’m an operator and I’ve been wanting to take on watchmaking. But not for repairs, more of George Daniel’s or even hajime Asoka approach. I would love to see watch making series from start to finish
I second that! Although I'm sure Cameron has a lot on his plate. But id definitely pay for a course if he did one. Now getting a hold of the tools would be a different story :D
Check out Chronoglide "Watchmaker from the Netherlands" Kalle Slaap is an amazing teacher. He has a RUclips channel and there are literally hundreds of videos. From his videos and a couple other RUclipsrs I've learned to do a full service just like a certified technician does.