Thread: Watch making kit

Yes Oklahoma has a program set up via Rolex. After you graduate they will hire you. Its one of the few programs like it in the country.

I agree that people who dabble in watches and those who dabble in clocks are a totally different breed of cat. For one many clock people actually make the things. Watch people just collect and wear them.

As far as competency in repair work goes, you would think that people would learn from current repairers but in practice that's not the case. if it were, you would be able to go into just about any jeweler and have your mechanical timepiece worked on but that is not the case. I have been collecting these things for many years now and I can tell you horror stories about incompetent repair people. Even the Swiss manufacturers who have repair stations in the U.S have major trouble finding competent people to do repair work. There are very few watch repair schools teaching the trade and as the years go by its getting more difficult finding someone who knows what they are doing.I can't begin to tell you how many times I've sent watches off for routine service to supposedly competent people to have them returned in far worse shape and needing to be returned numerous times until it was done correctly.

If you own a Swiss watch your better off sending it back to the factory in Switzerland where they have programs to train watchmakers. No different if you own a quality Seiko. It should go back to Japan for service.

really the parallels are remarkable. Getting a good watch repair is getting close to trying to find a barber who can give you a good straight shave.

What are the kits like. I can't afford it right now so I will have to save. At the moment I would just like to be able to take them to pieces and put them back together - I am not too ambitious. I saw a site where the guy was cutting gears and that is a seriously skilled job.
I bought a vintage movement to have a look at in the mean time so that should keep me going for a bit.

I got my Omega Speedmaster a year ago, and it's been awesome so far. They suggest sending it back to Switzerland every five years, so it can be maintained (it takes months and costs hundreds, apparently), but I don't know what I'll end up doing. Maybe I'll just keep wearing the thing until the accuracy begins to suffer and I have to do something... because yeah, I'd be scared to bring it to someone who didn't know what they were doing.

Omega USA Service has a terrible reputation for their work.

Probably after five years of pretty constant use you will notice the accuracy start to suffer. That's when its time to get it serviced. But don't wait longer because one that happens it means the lube ain't doing its job anymore and friction is deadly for watches. Expect to pay about $400 or more for a service. its a chrono and they cost more to service.

For clockmaking kits go to the NAWCC web site and you should get some hints there. Also see if the NAWCC has a local chapter and go to one of their meetings and you will meet real live clockmakers.

You can also check with reputable antique dealers or museums for references for watchmakers.