Not sure why it would be a wiser choice - might be a preferred choice for some though. For me I see real estate as certainly a very up and down business, at least compared to being a watchmaker. I will never, ever, run out of work, so the ability to earn a good living is not in question. Of course there are many things I could do to make more money - I could simply get a job as a project engineer again and make more than I do now easily, but this is also a lifestyle choice. I like working for myself, setting my own hours, and being 100% responsible for my work. That sort of thing is not for everyone.
If you lack passion being a watchmaker or with being a real estate agent, well I guess both could suck equally badly in the passion department. In my experience with real estate agents, they have to be available pretty much any hour of the day or evening. The house I currently own was bought from 2 people who were real estate agents - well one had been for a while, and the other was just getting certified. With the uncertainty of the income coming in for both of them, they had no choice but to sell this house and downsize. And, 7 years after building it, they still owed a ton on this place when they sold it to us...and they were both retirement age to boot! It's not a job I would want personally, but to each his own.
My point is getting into something like watchmaking or the watch business simply because you think it will be all roses and champagne is an unrealistic view. Like any job or career, there are certainly downsides, but given all the jobs I have had in my life (while in school or after I was done) this is the one that gives me the most satisfaction overall by far. Even on the days when it's not fun, its still more fun than cleaning toilets on midnight shift in a mental hospital...something I did during the summers when I was still in high school. At least I didn't have to take a self defense class to become a watchmaker, and so far I've not had to use my training on how to break a choke hold with any of my watch customers.
Cheers, Al
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