Veterans FAQ's

How do I get started?

 You contact us, either by phone or email. We will ask you the following questions.
When did you serve in the Army? Waht is your current status? Do you want to stay in your area? Do you want to apprentice for 2 -4 weeks to see if watchmaking is something you would like? Would you want to attend a watch school? Based on your answers we find the approriate connections.

Do I need prior experience?

No.

Will this cost me anything?

No, we try to cover your costs?

How much can I earn in this profession?

Depending on your ability and the certification you receive, anywhere between $30,000 - $60,000.
A person who goes to a WOSTEP school and passes the exam will earn in the uppper range.
A person who takes the AWCI test for a Certified Watchmaker (CW21) certificate will also earn in the upper range.
A person who takes the AWCI test for a Watch Technician (WT) certificate will earn in the mid-range.

Here are some FAQ from the North Seattle Community College site.

Over the past ten years Switzerland has produced 70 million high-tech watches each year. These watches have specially designed features which require highly qualified watchmakers for maintenance and repair. These jobs are in demand.

What are high-tech watches?

These are watches that do more than tell the time. They have additional mechanisms which are interconnected and for which highly qualified watchmakers are needed:

• Watches with one or more of these additional functions:
  • Chronograph
  • Calendar — simple to perpetual
  • Moon-phase
  • Alarm
  • Repeater
• Ultra-flat watches
• Automatic calibers needing special knowledge
• Multifunctional electronic watches

Graduates are prepared for and take the WOSTEP certification exam at the completion of the course that opens doors to employers.

What is WOSTEP?

WOSTEP is an independent and neutral institution that is recognized as an exemplary training centre in the field of watchmaking.

WOSTEP is financed by its members who include leading Swiss watch brands, watchmaking organizations, other associated sectors and retailers in Switzerland and around the world.

Worldwide partnership with watchmaking schools

WOSTEP has been coordinating the Partnership with watchmaking schools around the world since 1992. The aim of this program is to improve and standardize training internationally within the field of watchmaking.

The Partnership is standard of reference which offers its services in English, French and German. Students who pass the final examinations in a WOSTEP-approved school are awarded our certificate, which is recognized throughout the world as a superior qualification in watchmaking.

What kind of job can I get?

Graduates of the program are qualified to apply for a variety of positions. You can use your WOSTEP training to work in many different environments:

• Watch repairer in a workshop or repair center for mechanical and electronic watches
• Owner, manager or employee of a watch repair center or jewelry store
• Person in charge of after-sales service network for a watch distributor or brand on a regional or national basis
• Manager of a jewelry store that specializes in sales and repair
• Technical advisor for a watch brand, agent or distributor
• Person in charge of training in specific products for one or several brands, an agent or distributor