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April 16, 2010
CLOCK & WATCH SCHOOL GRADUATES HAVE TIME ON THEIR SIDE
COLUMBIA, PA: The watch and clock repair and restoration programs have expanded at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ School of Horology and new applicants are now being accepted for programs starting in June. Fifteen recent graduates can attest to their own success in learning extremely marketable skills for an industry seeking skilled craftspeople.  School of Horology 2010 Watch Repair Program Graduates The School’s mission is to preserve established techniques and knowledge of the art of clock and watchmaking, repair and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Some of the students come to the School after high school; others looking for a career change find that the field of horology offers a wide variety of opportunities. After graduating, students find employment in many venues; some choose apprenticeship in the School’s Watch and Clock Repair Service Center, some start careers in repair shops or jewelry stores, many realize the dream of beginning their own business.  School of Horology 2010 Combined Course and Clock Repair Program Graduates There is a dire need for watch and clock repair technicians in the United States, as many older technicians retire. Few schools today provide instruction in clockmaking, especially in vintage repair and restoration. The NAWCC’s School of Horology prepares students for positions with high-end companies in need of watchmakers who understand luxury mechanical watches. Students choose to concentrate in watch or clock restoration, or both. The School trains students for small business ownership and procedures involved in work in established repair shops and stores. The School of Horology is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Private Licensed Schools and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The School of Horology is dedicated to the preparation of students for entry into horological business fields. The School’s mission is to preserve established skills and knowledge of the art of clock and watch making, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Class size is strictly limited to ensure students receive the personalized instruction necessary to master the specialized skills.
4/1/2010 DUE TO DEMANDS – THE SCHOOL EXPANDS
COLUMBIA, PA: They always have a lot of time on their hands and they’re learning what to do with it. “They” are the students in the Watch and Clock programs at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ (NAWCC) School of Horology. There is a dire need for watch and clock repair technicians in the United States, as many earlier trained technicians retire. Few schools today provide instruction in clockmaking, especially in vintage repair and restoration. The NAWCC’s School of Horology prepares students for positions with high-end companies in need of watchmakers who understand luxury mechanical watches and trains students for small business ownership or to work in repair shops and jewelry stores. Since its opening in 1995, the School has expanded its programs numerous times; but one-to-one instruction is still provided so that students can master the specialized skills. Current expansions include: The Commonwealth Department of Education’s State Board of Private Licensed Schools has approved an expanded yearlong program for both Watch and Clock repair and a two-year program for the combined Watch and Clock repair program. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) granted the School renewal of its accreditation through November 2014. NAWCC Board of Directors recently voted to increase enrollment in the Watch and Clock programs from 28 to 40 students, which required renovation of the School to accommodate these additional students. A Watch and Clock Repair Service Center with an apprenticeship-style program continues, allowing the School’s graduates to hone their skills, learn specialized methods, and gain “real-world” experience. Since its opening last year, the Center has repaired many timepieces owned by members of the community and watch and clock businesses. The faculty has expanded with the arrival of John Nagle, a clock instructor who is returning after having taught at the School several years ago. His addition to the School allows for continued expert instruction as the programs expand. “In just a short time, over 115 inquiries have come in to the School with only 28 spots available in the Watch and Clock programs. With the shortage of professionals in the field, and such demand for schooling, an increase in available enrollment in the programs has become crucial. With fewer schools offering these programs, the faculty is excited to have the opportunity to prepare an increased number of students for entry into this rewarding field,” commented the School of Horology Director, Jim Michaels.
SCHOOL GRADUATES STUDENTS FROM CLOCK PROGRAM COLUMBIA, PA: The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ School of Horology in Columbia, PA, recently graduated 10 students from its Clock Program. Whether the student is an aspiring professional or a serious hobbyist, the School’s Clock Program begins with an introduction to simple time-and-strike clocks and then to other more complicated mechanisms. Advanced topics such as gear cutting, machine tools, and escapement repair and fabrication are also addressed. Graduates, fully equipped with knowledge and skills in the art of clock repair and restoration, are well prepared to successfully repair a wide variety of clocks. The Clock Program consists of 8 two-week courses and 2 three-week courses. The School of Horology is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Private Licensed Schools and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The School of Horology is dedicated to the preparation of students for entry into horological business fields. The School’s mission is to preserve established skills and knowledge of the art of clock and watch making, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Class size is strictly limited to ensure students receive the personalized instruction necessary to master the specialized skills.
January 9, 2009 NEW RETAIL WATCH TECHNICIAN COURSE OFFERED COLUMBIA, PA: There is currently an ever increasing demand by jewelers and retailers for knowledgeable sales associates and watch technicians. To meet this demand, the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) School of Horology has partnered with the largest horological sales and repair center in the world to design a course to train current employees, business owners, and prospective employees. The “Watch Technician for the Retailer” course has been developed with the needs of consumers and retailers in mind and will fill the gap that exists between the customer and the watchmaker. This watch course is targeted toward employers and individuals. This class offers training for a retailer looking to bolster the skills of current employees, retailers looking for a graduate from the course, or an individual anticipating starting a new career. “To my knowledge, this will be the first course offered with the needs of the business owner in mind. In recent years jewelry stores have limited their involvement with watch sales and repairs because of the shortage of qualified sales associates / watch technicians. Upon completion of this course, employers can take advantage of the excellent source of income watch sales and repairs have to offer, while reducing the liabilities,” states School Director Jim Michaels. The four-week course (IND101) runs from February 2 through February 27, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students who complete the course will be able to:
Program fees include $15 registration, $150 lab fee, and $2,800 tuition. The prerequisite is a high school diploma or G.E.D. For more information visit www.horology.edu. To register for this course call 717-684-8261, ext 218 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . There are still several openings for the February session.
July 29, 2008 SCHOOL BENEFITS FROM WATCHMAKER’S ESTATE COLUMBIA, PA: The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC Inc) recently received a generous gift from the estate of Kenneth C. Hoxie, a former watchmaker from New Holland, PA. Hoxie, a member of the Association from 1969 to 2007, designated 30% of his estate to be used as an endowment fund in which the income will be used for the operation of the NAWCC School of Horology in Columbia. The resulting $175,000 will benefit the School in its daily operations and education of its students. An area resident most of his life, Hoxie was the owner and operator of Hoxie Jewelry Shop. Along with his affiliation with the NAWCC, he was the founder of The Watch Makers Guild of Lancaster. Hoxie also enjoyed his membership in the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association, the American Watch Makers Institute, and the Genealogical Institute of America. He was also very involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Susquehanna Masonic Lodge #364 of Millersburg, Harrisburg Shrine Club, Rajah Temple, the Reading Consistory, and charter and past president of Millersburg Lion’s Club. The NAWCC is proud to assist in the preservation of our horological heritage. One of its primary goals is education of both this and future generations into timekeeping and timekeeping devices. Persons who would like to assist in this educational mission by making a current gift or a planned gift for the future, should contact Executive Director Steve Humphrey at 717-684-8261, ext. 209 for more information.
DIRECTOR JIM MICHAELS EXAMINES AND COMMENTS UPON WATCHES IN PRESIDENTIAL TIMEPIECES MUSEUM EXHIBIT The National Watch and Clock Museum is presenting an exhibit of objects rarely viewed by the general public. These unique timepieces were used by American presidents to track their time in office as they guided the nation through good times and bad, war and peace, prosperity and depression. The National Watch and Clock Museum was given permission to examine a select number of watches. Jim Michaels, the Director and Head Watch Instructror of the NAWCC School of Horology, opened 11 of the presidential watches and commented on their condition and uniqueness. The NAWCC captured this on video and will be putting them up for viewing soon.
July 14, 2008 NAWCC SCHOOL OF HOROLOGY APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR COLUMBIA, PA: The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) announces the appointment of Jim Michaels to School Director and Lead Watch Instructor at its School of Horology in Columbia. Michaels, who served as director for several years when the School opened in 1995, returned in January to serve as an adjunct instructor and now has assumed the role of director as well. Michaels attended the Chicago School of Watchmaking in 1971 and completed the Eastern New Mexico University curriculum in 1974. Following this schooling, Michaels was awarded the Certified Master Watchmakers Certification in 1974 by AWI, and he attended advanced watchmaking courses in 1975 at the Watchmaker of Switzerland Technical Education Program in Neuchatel, Switzerland. Well recognized in the field as both a talented instructor and watchmaker, Michaels' businesses over the years have handled many high-end repairs and restorations of watches and clocks. Michaels never realized how much he missed teaching until he started again this year, and he welcomes the opportunity to share his years of experience in the field with his students. I am excited to teach old school traditional watchmaking methods, as well as the most modern and up-to-date techniques used today, states Michaels. The School of Horology traditionally offers a great balance between both these teaching techniques.
March 10, 2008 SCHOOL APPOINTS CLOCK INSTRUCTOR COLUMBIA, PA: The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) announces the appointment of Al Dodson to Clock Instructor at its School of Horology in Columbia. Certified Master Clockmaker from the American Watchmakers Institute, Dodson brings to the School a degree in Micro Precision Technology, continuing education courses through the years, and 21 years of owning his own clock repair business in Lexington, KY. As a member of the NAWCC, Dodson contributes to the Education Committee and has always had an interest in horological education as is shown by his training of other Association members. He has presented many programs through the years at local and regional meetings and was a presenter at the 2007 NAWCC national convention. Executive Director Steve Humphrey stated, “I am pleased that we have been able to attract someone with as much experience and dedication as Al has to lead our clock program at the School of Horology.” |
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Contact: School of Horology
