Quote Originally Posted by thebigspendur View Post
anyone who learned the trade after the mid 80s shouldn't be let near any mechanical timepiece.
FWIW watches/pocketwatches and larger clocks/wallclocks are VERY different animals. I know clock guys who wouldn't dream of touching a watch.

As for the above comment I completely disagree. Yes the good ones are few and far between but I know for a fact that there are guys who learned after the 80's who are as good as the masters. To learn an "old" trade can be done many ways. In terms of watch repair/building many guys learn straight from the old guys in an apprenticeship type situation and eventually at least reach the skill of their teacher. It's how progress is made and old techniques aren't lost.