Hi Mark

Thanks for your comment. I think the main difference in what the courses offer for you would very much depend on what you plan to do in the future. If you only have the ambition to be a watch repairer, then the 1,800 hour course should teach you all you need to know. If you have plans to get into watchmaking either straightaway or at some point in the future, then the 3,000 hour course would be seen as a “must have”.

You will likely only be able to train full-time once in your life, as it is very difficult to take a step backwards and become a student again once employed. So for myself I wanted to do everything I possibly could, and for most of my career as a watch repairer that meant I had learned skills that were redundant. But now that I am a watchmaker, having learned how to make parts, create technical drawings and finish to a high standard, have all become incredibly important in my day-to-day work.

But if I hadn’t taken that step to make watches, then those skills would have stayed redundant.

In short, there’s no correct answer, it very much depends on what you are training to be.

Colin

I have just been accepted into the two-year WOSTEP course at BSOW, but I feel quite uncertain at the moment. Since 95% of watchmaking jobs are in the UK, the 1,800-hour WOSTEP course seems sufficient. I’m not sure about the value of taking the 3,000-hour course. I would greatly appreciate any advice you could offer.

Hi Hien

I don’t really deal with clocks, however a lot of the principals are the same. This model appears to use disks rather than hands to display the time. You may find that the minute disc is held on with a “C” clip, and you will need to remove this and the disc will come away, the lower hour and alarm hands can probably be lifted off in the traditional way with hand levers. If there is a “C” clip, be very careful when removing it as they tend to spring off and get lost – and so I would always recommend putting a piece of clear plastic over the clip and removing it through the plastic, so that when it springs off it will be held in place.

Colin

I’m eager for a career change and to learn a trade; watchmaking has been a pleasant surprise in its appeal, but I can’t seem to be able to find apprenticeships anywhere. Where would be the best place to look?

Many thanks

Russell

Hi Kamal, thanks for your message. I am very busy making my own brand of watches at the moment, but if there is something I can help with, please get in touch. Colin

Hi Michael, yes there are courses offered by some brands and WOSTEP also offer a course too:

Hi Philip

If you’re looking to do some part-time training alongside work, then I would suggest you start with the BHI’s Distance Learning Course (DLC). They have 12 lessons that will teach you the basics of watchmaking, and will help advise you as to which tools you need and provide some start projects too.

Like with anything, the more time you can dedicate, the better, but giving yourself a good 2-4 hour block of time a week to begin with will really help. If you follow the DLC you may need to dedicate some more time towards completing some of the tasks.

Colin