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Patience, visualization and critical thinking are the attributes of a watchmaker.
Armed with these virtues, the students of the watchmaking program at the OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee learn what makes the time pieces tick.
“You pretty much have to be fully absorbed in what you’re doing or you’ll make mistakes,” said Peter Dimas, a first-year student. “It’s almost meditative.”
Because watches are complex machines with tiny parts, each day provides a different concept for the students to understand.
“Every day presents a new challenge, so you’re always pushing yourself,” said Paul Kamay, a first-year student. “There’s always something new to learn.”
The two-year program starts with learning micromechanics, instructor Jason Champion said. Students learn to read and draw technical documents and progress to learning to use and handle tools and parts.
“We have lectures and theory portions we go through,” Champion said. “However, that leads up to application of that theory or lecture where the students are actually going to be performing some kind of task.”
The last half of the second year in the program becomes even more hands on.
“Students spend it working in a simulation work environment,” Champion said. “They work on watches like a customer would bring in.”
These pieces can include high-end or vintage watches.
“The watches that the students are learning to work on are going to be the luxury watches or family heirlooms,” Champion said.
Graduates have many opportunities because not many people go through watchmaker programs. Prospects include working in factory service centers or jewelry stores, Champion said.
“I pretty much would like to look at the service center aspect of the industry,” Kamay said.
“Really learn from the particular manufacturer how they want the work to be done.
Eventually, I wouldn’t mind working at a retail store where I could actually interact with the customers on a personal level and still continue doing the work that I enjoy.”
Champion said the program began in 1946 and was geared toward returning World War II soldiers who were unable to return to their pre-war careers.
The watchmaking program continues to draw students.
The program accepts 12 students per year. Champion said prospective students must participate in an application process. This process includes computerized testing, interviews and mechanical aptitude testing.
“It’s a good field for anyone that’s good with their hands and has a lot of patience,” Dimas said. “If you can do some problem solving, it’s pretty interesting and there are many positions available.”
