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The Encyclopedia of Horology

School · Various, International

Chicago School of Watchmaking / modern WOSTEP-accredited programmes

Formal watchmaking training routes differ by country; WOSTEP and national institute syllabuses are the usual professional benchmarks.

Overview

Chicago School of Watchmaking / modern WOSTEP-accredited programmes is a school based in International. Formal watchmaking training routes differ by country; WOSTEP and national institute syllabuses are the usual professional benchmarks.

As a teaching institution, its contribution is the training of watchmakers and clockmakers — the people who keep historical mechanisms serviceable.

Training programmes of this kind typically combine bench skills (turning, filing, finishing, servicing) with theory of escapements, gearing and regulation.

Diagram

12345let downstripcleanoilregulateorder of work; never skip letting down the mainspring
Schematic: order of work at the bench. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Using it for research

  • School libraries and alumni records can help trace the training of a named individual maker.
  • Course content and entry requirements change over time; consult the institution for current programmes.

Before you visit

  • Schools are working environments; visits and open days should be arranged in advance.