- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 0
kd8tzc
·I guess you didn't read my previous answer this this same question...
Seamaster issue
- Posts
- 29,208
- Likes
- 75,476
Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerSorry, I missed that. I find that hard to believe that there would not be something that tracks that (not doubting you, just amazes me that your industry doesn't track this). I know there are all the training certifications like CW21 and the sort, I just would have thought there would be a registry someplace that lists who has completed these types of training and who may have other specialized training.
This is not a regulated industry, at least it isn't anymore. Here in Canada this was once a licensed trade, and I know another local guy who still had his provincial trade license hanging in his shop when he was still working, but it no longer has that status. In the US the laws licensing watchmakers were struck down in the courts years ago, so there is no mandate to track this sort of thing. Anyone can call themselves a watchmaker if they wish, and there will be no legal repercussions for using that title, even if you have no clue what you are doing (I see the results of this on my bench pretty often).
Their are trade associations like the AWCI in the US, but not every watchmaker is a member (I used to be but am not now as they were not supportive of watchmaker needs generally), and their own certification program is pretty meaningless outside of Rolex (and since Rolex is closing most accounts it doesn't have much value with them now either). When I was at Swatch for training on co-axials a number of years ago, someone in the class asked about Omega recognizing the CW21, and the reply from the instructor was "That's a Rolex thing, it has nothing to do with us."
Omega certainly knows who's been trained and certified by them, but I don't know of any list they have that can be accessed to show this. Not their job to advertise other people's services for them.
The only place you might find a listing is on the AWCI site, where you can search for watchmakers by location. I'm assuming you are in the US of course. Each watchmaker has the ability to list qualifications in their profile, so if they bothered to join AWCI, and bothered to list themselves on that database, and bothered to list their certifications, then that's one possibility. But it's obviously not going to be a complete list...
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 0
kd8tzc
·This is not a regulated industry, at least it isn't anymore. Here in Canada this was once a licensed trade, and I know another local guy who still had his provincial trade license hanging in his shop when he was still working, but it no longer has that status. In the US the laws licensing watchmakers were struck down in the courts years ago, so there is no mandate to track this sort of thing. Anyone can call themselves a watchmaker if they wish, and there will be no legal repercussions for using that title, even if you have no clue what you are doing (I see the results of this on my bench pretty often).
Their are trade associations like the AWCI in the US, but not every watchmaker is a member (I used to be but am not now as they were not supportive of watchmaker needs generally), and their own certification program is pretty meaningless outside of Rolex (and since Rolex is closing most accounts it doesn't have much value with them now either). When I was at Swatch for training on co-axials a number of years ago, someone in the class asked about Omega recognizing the CW21, and the reply from the instructor was "That's a Rolex thing, it has nothing to do with us."
Omega certainly knows who's been trained and certified by them, but I don't know of any list they have that can be accessed to show this. Not their job to advertise other people's services for them.
The only place you might find a listing is on the AWCI site, where you can search for watchmakers by location. I'm assuming you are in the US of course. Each watchmaker has the ability to list qualifications in their profile, so if they bothered to join AWCI, and bothered to list themselves on that database, and bothered to list their certifications, then that's one possibility. But it's obviously not going to be a complete list...
I think the big thing will be the turnaround time if I can find someone I feel has the certification. I would ask you to do this, but you were correct that I am in the USA, but I would think that would really complicate it sending it to you with customs. Maybe not... who know.
- Posts
- 29,208
- Likes
- 75,476
Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerFair enough and thank you. I can at least start there and see. Again, it may not be a complete list. I thought Omega had something kind of alphabet cert as well (OW something-something), but maybe I misheard that.
I think the big thing will be the turnaround time if I can find someone I feel has the certification. I would ask you to do this, but you were correct that I am in the USA, but I would think that would really complicate it sending it to you with customs. Maybe not... who know.
I service watches sent to me from all over the world. The US is probably the most common place I service watches from...however I am fully booked. I'm sure you can find someone in the US...
- Posts
- 23,373
- Likes
- 51,992
Dan S
·Omega certainly knows who's been trained and certified by them, but I don't know of any list they have that can be accessed to show this. Not their job to advertise other people's services for them.
Indeed, they could make a list available if they chose, but I'm going to speculate that the service centers wouldn't be thrilled about that.
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 0
kd8tzc
·Looking at that AWCI site, I seem to have found a guy in Dayton that has a OWME 1120 certification (I'm assuming that means he is Omega certified to work on 1120 movements or something). I'll see what I can do through him. Thank you for your help.
Similar threads
- Posts
- 10
- Views
- 197
- Posts
- 2
- Views
- 557
