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Old 24 October 2018, 05:02 AM   #1
jlovda
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watchmaker certification

In choosing someone to service a high grade watch, are there any certifications or other affiliations to look for?
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Old 24 October 2018, 10:14 AM   #2
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The latest top watchmaker certification is CW-21.


There are plenty of watchmakers, though, who do not want to invest in those requirements and are likely very capable.

WOSTEP is a prestigious watchmaker school, as is Rolex's Technicum.
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Old 24 October 2018, 10:38 AM   #3
77T
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watchmaker certification

ACWI offers two levels.

The current watchmaker certifications are:

CW21 – Certified Watchmaker of the 21st Century

CMW21 – Certified Master Watchmaker of the 21st Century

The other thing I’d offer is to seek a watchmaker who has the best certification + a long track record of exceeding customer expectations.

Now, on watch brands, you’d do well to choose a watchmaker who has that brand’s own certifications.

Lastly, choose a watchmaker who has a parts account with the manufacturer of your watch.


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Old 24 October 2018, 11:18 AM   #4
toxicavenger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
ACWI offers two levels.

The current watchmaker certifications are:

CW21 – Certified Watchmaker of the 21st Century

CMW21 – Certified Master Watchmaker of the 21st Century

The other thing I’d offer is to seek a watchmaker who has the best certification + a long track record of exceeding customer expectations.

Now, on watch brands, you’d do well to choose a watchmaker who has that brand’s own certifications.

Lastly, choose a watchmaker who has a parts account with the manufacturer of your watch.


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^^This.

To add to this a watchmaker can fill all those requirements and not be a good watchmaker. The same is true of all things in life.

So do your research.
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Old 24 October 2018, 06:35 PM   #5
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^^This.

To add to this a watchmaker can fill all those requirements and not be a good watchmaker. The same is true of all things in life.

So do your research.

This statement couldn't be any more accurate.

Treat their watchmaking qualification (WOSTEP/AWCI/BHI) like a college degree. It only gets them their first job, after that it is just like every other profession with several factors dictating their career trajectory.

If you work for a retailer it is easy to collect brand certificates but they will rarely train to a high complication level. Conversely if you work for a watch brand directly your experience level will be narrower in relation to number of brands but you will progress through the complication levels in time.

My advice is use brand (in this case Rolex) authorised service centres and service partners (in store watchmakers). You will struggle to tell the difference between a good watchmaker and an average/poor one, so leave it to the brand to do the leg work. If there is ever a problem you always have the brand as a second layer of safety.

And always be wary of people that say 'you don't need accreditation to work on a (insert brand here)'. If they don't have the accreditation you cannot be sure if they have the competence to handle the work and you have no security if/when something goes wrong.
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Old 27 October 2018, 02:12 PM   #6
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CW21 is only recognized in the USA.

WOSTEP and SAWTA are recognized globally which includes Switzerland.
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