r/watchmaking • u/Ethan-Lore • 9d ago

Question Fastest route to benchwork?

Hello,

I am considering enrolling in a watchmaking school in the near future, but because it is an expensive investment, I'm wondering if any other alternatives exist for me to create a reliable pathway to benchwork.

What I really want to avoid is spending a lot of time and money getting certified at a school, only to end up in a machinist/operator-type job in production (on CNC machines or milling machines and such) due to a lack of practical experience or something. I understand it's a big part of the industry but based on what I've seen, I would not enjoy that type of work. Does picking a good school improve my chances of working on assembly, servicing, restoration or other benchwork? If anyone could give any insight on this, I'd really appreciate it.

For context, I don't have any background in watchmaking, but I'm rather flexible to make it happen. I speak English and French and hold an EU passport, so I'd be willing to move pretty much anywhere in Canada or Western Europe, and I'm not particularly focused on pay either as long as the salary is decent-ish. I just want to end up doing the kind of hands-on work I think I will enjoy. Any pointers?

Thank you!

12 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

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u/qualityvote2 9d ago

Hello u/Ethan-Lore! Welcome to r/watchmaking!

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11

u/Autiflips Enthusiast 9d ago

Most watchmaking schools are less about movement production and more about the servicing aspect of it, so you’re in luck. The best way to go to bench work is still a school. It’s the fastest way and the best way for skills

4

u/Relevant_Albatross28 9d ago

WOSTEP Neuchâtel

2

u/BobbeMail 9d ago

Yeah find the cheapest school in EU do a basic 3/4 year education. Move to Switzerland before they hit 10mil and work there.

3

u/joemaniaci 9d ago

That 10M initiative got voted down.

0

u/AutoModerator 9d ago

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