Rolex Watchmaking School (Tuition Free)

If they are offering free training, I'm guessing the actual job sucks, and/or the standards for entry/completion are very high.

I think it is actually fairly common for larger watchmakers to pay for free training for new watchmakers. The programs are usually pretty tough to get accepted to, but if you do it is paid for. The luxury watch market would die if they can't create a steady stream of watchmakers.

The standards are high. They also reserve the right to "boot" you if you're not pulling your weight. This does make sense since they are training you for free and don't want to waste their time. Most of the time this would not happen since they have multiple interviews and a practical exam to test your basic skills before accepting someone. So they would know if you're worth their time.

It takes a lot of watchmakers to make a million watches a year. And that's a lot of services too.

Picture “Full Metal Jacket”

With ….watch parts

It’s a trade apprenticeship

It would be very interesting to see their screening process for this and the job commitment and compensation post-graduation. Rolex will have an insane amount of money invested in these students.

Too bad there isn't one in the Washington DC area. I could see how agile my big sausage fingers are🤣

Regarding the one in PA, I'm assuming you're referring to the Lititz Watch Technicum? Where did you hear it's closing?

While not publicized, I suspect watch manufacturers have always had smaller programs to train new or improve watchmaking skills of qualified persons for a long time now. Years ago I found a small watch repair shop in a mall that I cut through after leaving the public transit staffed by a Vietnamese watch maker who had travelled to Switzerland to learn servicing Patek Philippe, APs, Brequets and even less expensive brands including Breitling by his employer. I think that even a novice would be mentored if the individual displayed an appitude for watchmaking. I dropped off a watch with a basic ETA movement at a watch repair shop recently when I was assisted by a young jeweller who was learning watchmaking trade.

I believe that’s what he said.

I know that ALS has a 3-year apprenticeship, which is typical for German companies. I wonder if they would let you touch production watches after that apprenticeship, or if that's when you will start learning in earnest.