Yeah, good idea for him if he’s got the rock steady hands for it & good eye sight
I’ve seen YT vids on this from other career watch makers stating this job is a life style. If you drink too much, next day do only paper work as you are likely to botch the repair job.

if he’s resolute on doing this, tell him to start taking courses& getting his certification so that he’s ready to apply for jobs upon retirement.
I don’t know what the industry thinks of his age group trying to enter the job for the first time?

A lot of the time Zenith won’t give you a parts account hence you are screwed for parts.
to getparts accounts for Rolex, Omega, Zenith is not an easy job — they give those out very sparingly.
you definitely need certification from them individually
that will be his biggest hurdle. Working for somebody, getting experience, gaining a reputation will take time. I’d say start now….

 

Hmm… thank you and yes I thought access to parts availability might be an issue. I should also add he has a particular fondness for vintage watches. I assume that would make parts availability even a bigger issue.

I believe the plan would be to NOT work for a watch company but rather be an independent working from a dedicated room in his house. More of a part time job so to speak.

 

Best of luck to him.

 

Well your servicing issues should be solved then!

It seems like a great idea if he has a passion for it. 44 is not old for a career change like like that. He could probably do it for another 20-25 years without issue.

Just tell him to give WUS members a break on servicing!

 

In order to get Rolex or Omega parts. He would (I assume) need to take courses that both companies recognize and Rolex might require him to take courses to be certified to work on their watches.

getting into those classes at his age might be a deterent. Will they want a 50 year old taking a space a 20 year old with a whole life ahead of him vs. maybe someone with 25 years.

also. Going to school, finding a part-time job to support himself and paying bills while learning.

Not sure how many schools in the US. There’s one left in Canada. In Quebec.

if he’s thinking about. Better think quick

 

Thanks for the comments guys. I don’t think (I hope) finances will be an issue. He has been saving and investing and also will have a nice union supported pension. I also (I hope) will have his back if something goes wrong.

If there are no watch making schools in U.S no wonder finding a good technician is difficult. It’s my understanding that with the recent and rapid popularity of automatic watches, especially luxury pieces there is a shortage of good watchmakers. As these watches all age it will become even more so in the future.

 

In case this is of any help:

Rolex Watchmaking Training Center

Rolex at Rolex Watchmaking Training Center in Dallas, TX is proud part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Jewelers, allowed to sell and maintain Rolex watches.

www.rolexwatchmakingtrainingcenter.com

Rolex previously operated the Lititz Watch Technicum in Lititz, Pennsylvania, but the website for this school appears to be down. The linked school appears to be its replacement.

 

From what I understand they closed Lititz, which was a full training program, and opened another in Dallas with a reduced program. I think there is less emphasis on using machines/ making parts etc. It's tuition-free, but I imagine not easy to get in.

This is a good list of schools still operating in the U.S. Watchmaking Schools & Programs — Horological Society of New York . Under "part time" there's a link to AWCI- they have numerous courses including a very basic one week introduction which would be great as far as seeing how things work in a "pro" setting.

 

Everyone’s gangster until they have to install the seconds hand.

JK. We need more independent watchmakers. I wish him all the best.

 

Unsure of your son's location, but Paris Junior College in TX offers a watchmaker education program

 

I would think it hard for your son to start out specializing in a few higher end brands when he will have no track record and reputation as a watchmaker. Who would send him $$$$$ watches without knowing that they will be repaired with competence and excellence? In contrast, being able to service ETA, Sellita and Seiko movements might allow him to build a solid customer base. Not writing this out of skepticism of his talents but from a purely practical perspective.

 

He could consider starting his own brand and making his own watches or have them made.

This place, Fine Timepiece Solutions is worth looking into. While not Rolex or Omega, it is a watch making company in the USA that makes watches and supplies parts to a number of brands including ones seen on this forum.

FTS USA – Built Better in America

www.ftsusa.us

 

OP I wish you son the best. Passion and ability of course are important. As others have mentioned he'll likely need to get certifications to work on the watches he wants to work on unless he's able to apprentice under another watchmaker first to gain some experience. Perhaps there's someone getting ready to retire in a couple of years that would be willing to show him the ropes. Again, I wish him luck.

 

You can forget about Rolex. It once was a thriving brand (independent wise) but they decided to cut off all independent accounts and are actually asking their independents to return tools that the independents had paid good money for. As for Omega, it is possible to get an account but only with serious training including their training.

A couple other caveats, any professional level training requires you to have thousands in equipment when you show up at the door and to get an account requires thousand's more. One member @Archer has said that he needed something like $60,000 worth of equipment to qualify for Omega.

I'm not trying to discourage you as it can be done, but it isn't as trivial as carpenter's apprenticeship (and that's not trivial). He would be best served by taking a professional course set, similar to a AS degree from a JC and then find a service center to work for; several years, before hanging a shingle. That's probably the easiest way to get the experience you need.

 

I would also consider specializing in either Cartier, IWC, or Breitling instead of Zenith because they are more common watch brands. But it doesn't really matter because the watch movements are quite similar overall.

 

I wish him the best of luck!

 

Would brands like Rolex & Omega still allow people to trade watches on the side once people are in their training programs?

 

Although discouraging…great information and advice from WUS members. Thanks to all that have replied. I do appreciate. Now I understand why there is and will continue to be a shortage of watchmakers in the future. Seems to be a difficult career choice in which to pursue.