If you want to work as a watchmaker, you should first get a good foundation in micromechanics and watchmaking in general. There are a variety of schools in various countries that offer watchmaking programs, and these programs are frequently full-time courses that take two years to complete. You can look for opportunities to join the industry once you have a degree or certification as a watchmaker. A skilled watchmaker can work for a company that designs and manufactures watches, and there are numerous opportunities for a skilled watchmaker at jewelers and watch repair shops.
To become a watchmaker, you should first consider how you can learn the skills you’ll need to design or repair watches professionally. You could start your research looking for local hobclubs or groups of watchmakers, or horologists, to help you learn the terminology and theory of watchmaking. These clubs are frequently welcoming to new members, and they can help you establish contacts in the high-end watch industry. Professional watchmakers, on the other hand, typically require more in-depth training, such as from an accredited school that offers a watchmaking program.
Different schools provide different types of programs to help you become a watchmaker, but the majority of them should be accredited a reputable watchmaker association. These programs typically last two years and require full-time attendance and a serious commitment. You can also take additional courses to earn an associate’s degree or simply gain certification from the school at the end of these two years. You might also consider getting certified a watch manufacturer, such as Rolex® or Omega®, to better qualify you to work on their timepieces.
If you’re lucky, you might be able to find an experienced master watchmaker who will take you on as an apprentice to help you learn how to make watches. However, this type of opportunity is becoming increasingly rare, and you may be able to enroll more easily at a school that offers a well-established watchmaking program. Once you have your certification or degree, you can look for jobs as a watchmaker in a variety of businesses.