 The
American Watch Guild recently announced the Veterans’ Watchmaking
Training Initiative. The program was inspired by the success of the
Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking. At the end of World War Two,
the Bulova family set up a watchmaking school on Long Island. The
majority of the schools students were veterans who were injured in a
way that impaired their mobility, or who were looking for a
promising career. Operating for twenty years, the school graduated
more than 800 watchmakers.
Today there is an acute shortage of watch technicians and
watchmakers in the United States. The American Watch Guild has
created an aptitude test to identify and test potential candidates
for this exciting field. The test kit consists of the necessary
parts (case, dials, movement, battery, and strap) and tools–loupe,
tweezers, screwdriver, and instructions–to assemble a quarts watch.
Interested mangers of retail watch service departments should
contact their local veterans facility to alert the counselors about
this opportunity. The American Watch Guild will provide the kits to
participating stores for $15 each, including shipping. If an injured
veteran requests, the aptitude test will be provided free of charge.
Michael Bowers of Bowers Watch and Clock Repair, located in Atlanta,
Georgia., was contacted by Matt Moore, a veteran who indicated he
would like to take the aptitude test. Bowers ordered the test and
was kind enough to provide Watch and Jewelry Review with a
detailed account of Moore’s performance.
__________________________________________________________________LETTER TO WATCH AND JEWELRY REVIEW
Mr Bertram Kalisher:
 On
February 3rd of 2009 , I had the privilege of meeting Matt Moore, a
veteran and aspiring watch maker. Matt had learned about the
American Watch Guild’s program and was willing to come to our store
and participate in the official aptitude test. I knew he was serious
when we called to notify him the kit had arrived, and he asked if he
could come in the same day. We arranged an early afternoon
appointment.
After meeting my father, Thomas, the owner of Bowers Watch and Clock
Repair, and my brother Tim, in charge of clock repair, Matt and I
got down to business. After reading the instructions, Matt laid out
the parts and tools in a neat and efficient manner. I was impressed
with his attention to detail and in no time at all he the dial
oriented and attached to the movement.
 Matt
Quickly progressed to the hour and minute hands. It quickly became
apparent that his technique was fine but his lack of experience was
showing. We decided to make the move from a tabletop working area to
my bench. The combination of a professional bench, a better pair of
tweezers, and a bit of assistance and assurance did the trick and
Matt soon had the second hand ticking along.
The remaining components proved to be no problem, and forty minutes
after Matt started the test, a proud veteran had assembled his first
running timepiece. Matt displayed ability, dexterity and skill, and
I’m sure with formal training he will find success in the
watchmaking field.
 We
ended up chatting for over two hours, including 45 minutes after
closing, and I could tell this young man was truly interested in a
career in the field. He certainly displayed the passion that should
take him far.
I wished him success and sent him home with my business card, an old
Elgin pocket watch movement and a few old hand tools. Matt lives
more than 90 miles from our store, and I only wished a local
watchmaker would have been willing to offer this simple step of
encouragement.
It was an honor to participate in the American Watch Guild’s program
and to meet Matt Moore. You can rest assured I will accept any
further applicants who contact our store. I have included several
photos.
Regards,
Michael Bowers
Both of the above appeared in the April 2009 issue of
Watch & Jewelry
Review.
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