Hi everybody,

Recently someone suggested that I take up watchmaking as a career. And it got me thinking wether it is a good idea.

Do you think that it is a viable career choice that you could do well in?
Do you think it is better to open up your own repair store or go and work for one of the big wigs in the world of watches (Jaeger, IWC, Vacheron etc)?
Can you make a decent ammount of money from watchmaking?

I'm still in school so I still have a long time to think about this but I thought I would just ask you watchmakers out there if you think it is a good idea to take watches to the next level or keep them as a hobby?

Best Regards
Francesco.

Francesco:
I am not a watch maker so I do not know the answer to dollars you can make.

What I do know is to make your life work something you love. Better to be a little less wealthy and happy than richer and sad.

I think that would be difficult to suggest not knowing how evolved the watch collecting hobby is in Africa/South Africa. I would suggest to continue to improve your skills but keep watch repair as hobby that you can make some extra money at.

Hi Claude, if I were to take up watchmaking as a career S Africa would not be the place I would get a job in, there is hardly a watchmaking community here. But, we are moving back to Europe in 2 years (when I finish school) so if I where to take up watchmaking I would proberly go to watchmaking school in Switzerland. If I were to work for one of the big wigs I would stay in Switzerland and if I were to open up my own shop I would move to London.

Francesco.
Seems I know a little secret the others don't know and that is that you will be returning home. There are some great watchmakers in Europe, however as is here in America very few have a store front as it's too costly for rent. Most just work out of their homes and now with the Internet have web sites to work from. I don't depend on it for a income but I do pretty good just by word of mouth within the club. It's a nice extra income. It took about a year but I now have customers calling me from the east coast cities (I'm in Seattle) for repairs. GB and Australia also. I only know of one Certified Horologist who actually makes a living in Texas from watch repair. He has a very good reputation and his name is Chris Abel. I think you have a long way to go before you can call yourself a repairman as it takes years of experience. Graduate from High school and get a few years of college under your belt in subjects you like. Then make up your mind on what you want to do. Do watch repair because you enjoy it not because you have to. It's more fun that way.
Patrick

Francesco, Look around. How many young folks do you see with a watch ? Not Many !!!!
You seem to be one of the smartest young people that I can think of ... Keep this as a GREAT Hobby.
Find a career that you like as well, BUT where you can make the big $$$$$ you'll need to buy the great watches that I know you'll collect.
You are a Great young Man, and a Great addition to our group. I'm very glad that you found us . Jack

Ill toss in my 2 cents. As a hobby and a way to earn a few extra bucks watchmaking is ok. As a career its about 60 years out of date.

Collect, fix and enjoy. But don't set it as your life's work.