British Watch Brands in 2022 Watchmaking is a British trade. This is evidenced by the fact that every major escapement design, and around three-quarters of the remaining innovations came from the UK. As a result there are now a number of emerging British watch companies and brands looking to revitalise that legacy. Below is a …
This is the 2nd part of the 5 part series on how to become a watchmaker. You can read the 1st part here. In this part we will focus on watchmaker training and education, and the different routes you can take on your journey to becoming a watchmaker. I have split this article about learning …
Watchmaker Training and Education – How to Become a Watchmaker Read More »
In 1800 Britain produced around half of the world’s watches, however by 1840 for every one English watch sold the Swiss were able to sell ten. This is the fascinating story of the attempt to remedy this situation. With the ambitious goal of leap frogging Britain back into the leading position as the centre of …
I am very pleased to have been featured in the November/December edition of Timepiece magazine, which is the Newsletter of The British Watch and Clock Makers’ Guild. Below is the text of the article. A five-year apprenticeship training our future watchmakers Encouraging young people to take on an apprenticeship, particularly in technical fields where hands-on …
Overview Price point: £4,740-£8,640 Quantity produced: less than 100 per year Percentage British: 40% UK Staff: 2 Location: Wiltshire _________________ About Wessex Watches are a relatively new watch company headed by Jamie Boyd. The brand Wessex comes from the name of the ancient British kingdom made most famous by Alfred the Great, where Jamie’s workshop …
A watchmaker’s work is often left unappreciated as it is hidden inside the case. The fact that the watch is keeping time and functioning as it should are the only outside indicators of a well serviced watch. When studying to become a watchmaker we were often told the mantra that “you can’t see a good …
So you have an interest in watches, and like the idea of becoming a watchmaker. As a watchmaker myself, who made a very conscious decision to choose this career and embarked upon a path to become traditionally trained, I cannot recommend the industry highly enough. The sense of satisfaction from taking something old, worn and …
How to Become a Watchmaker – Part One – Introduction Read More »
Overview Founded: 2011 (watchmaking heritage since 1654) UK Staff: 12 Watches Produced: c.400 per year Price Point: £3,850-£17,800 Percentage British: 100% _________________ About Robert Loomes Stamford Ltd. is an established clock and watch repairer with a long heritage and contribution to British horology. Alongside their repair and restoration business, within their workshop they manufacture entirely …
The balance wheel pivots are the thinnest in the watch, as they are the lowest torque. However they also carry what is often the heaviest wheel and so therefore are very vulnerable to break if the watch receives a shock. For pocket watches and clocks this was not a huge problem as they were generally …
I now have experience with both the BHI’s (British Horological Institute) qualifications and the WOSTEP (Watches of Switzerland Training and Education Programme) course and so I can talk about the differences. The BHI reinvented its qualification structure in 2011. They offer 3 major qualifications that are taken in sequence: The Diploma in Clock and Watch …
