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Tokyo Watch Technicum, a WOSTEP(*) partnership
school in Tokyo, has organized a lecture meeting on "training of
watchmakers in Japan" by Mr. Antoine Simonin, former Director of
WOSTEP in Switzerland. The lecture was given on September 27 and 28 at
Tokyo Watch Technicum, and about 60 watch importers have participated.
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Mr. A.Simonin
Visit to class
Tokyo Watch Technicum
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Mr.Antoine Simonin was the Director of WOSTEP from 1976 until 2003.
He is now consultant to Rolex Geneva as an adviser and coaching
teachers in watchmaking schools in Japan and the USA. At the same
time, he is busy as a member of the committee of the Musee International
d'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds and the Horological Museum of
Le Locle, Honorary President and on the board of Chronometrophilia,
the watch and clock collectors association of Switzerland.
In his lecture, he spoke about the international standardization
and improvement of watchmakers training which WOSTEP Partnership
with watchmaking schools aim. The lecture was followed by a visit
to training classes to see a Partnership school as a case.
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(*)WOSTEP
It is Watchmakers of Switzerland
Training and Educational Program.
WOSTEP, established in 1966, is a training center to
foster watchmakers. It is globally recognized as a neutral
institute, financed by its members, including Swiss
watch manufactures, watchmaking organizations, other
associated sectors and retailers in Switzerland and
around the world.
Since 1992, WOSTEP has been coordinating the Partnership
in order to improve and standardize watchmaking on a
global scale. It forms a partnership with schools which
meet the strict criteria.
At present, there are 12 WOSTEP Partnerships in 6 countries:
Japan, USA, China, Sweden, France and Germany. Two of
them exist in Japan; "Tokyo
watch Technicum" and "Hiko
Mizuno college of Jewelry". A student who completes
3000-hour training defined by WOSTEP in Partnership
School and passes the 5 intermediate examinations and
also the final examination will be awarded Diploma which
WOSTEP issues. http://www.wostep.ch
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The contents of the lecture was as follows:
Present situation of world watch industry
world watch production is estimated as 1.3 billion pieces. Switzerland
produces only 25 million, but its market share in value is big. It means
that Switzerland produce high class watches, which require efficient watchmakers.
Swiss watch industry and watchmakers
During the 1970s and early 1980s, the number of employees in the Swiss
watch industry fell from some 90,000 to 25,000. Number of watch schools
in US was reduced, and quality of watchmakers was down. Under such a situation,
some Swiss watch manufacturers tried to develop training plan overseas.
WOSTEP
WOSTEP is a training center of watchmakers established in 1966 in Neuchatel.
The overseas training plan was started as a partnership system within
WOSTEP in 1992.
Partnership with watchmaking schools
WOSTEP has been coordinating the Partnership with watchmaking schools
around the world since 1992. At present, there are 4 partnership schools
in US, 5 in Europe and 3 in Asia. Partnership schools implement the "WOSTEP
3000 Hour Curriculum" which was drawn by WOSTEP. Teachers at partnership
schools are required to update and brush up their teaching skill all the
time. Students have to clear 5 intermediate examination and have to pass
the final examination to get WOSTEP certification.
3000 Hour curriculum
In this curriculum, students study first the micromechanics before studying
the basic watch mechanism.
Importance of micromechanics
Making of parts or tools seems to be different from watch repairs. But,
watchmaking and micromechanics are interrelated and in common for precision.
Students can study and master to feel the precise size in micromechanics.
At the same time, they learn practicing self-control and being self-confident
which might be necessary for professional watchmakers.
What can be expected for WOSTEP students
They study repairs of chronograph, automatic and electric watches. They
also learn to act on his own to find out solutions at their workbenches.
They will be logical and will be proud of being watchmakers.
(October 19, 2005)
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