Watch Technology Institute

Surprise, surprise! Russ, a WTI graduate, made the June cover of AWCI’s Horological Times. The article discusses his background serving the country, decision to enter watchmaking, and how he leverages his skillset on repairs. So happy to see students find success out in the field!

Thank you to the for their generous support of the WTI program and its students. For 2023, 5 current and incoming students received scholarships across 3 different categories. The school itself also received a Howard Robbins Award to continue its horological mission.

The last few weeks have been busy with lectures and manufacturing. Here you can see a student’s collection of Horia bits, including a little threaded adapter. These must meet tight tolerances in order to work properly with the Horia tool. At bottom left is a pile of manufactured winding stems. Being precise takes a lot of practice!

Things are looking brighter for our students! We recently received and installed 39 new LED lamps from ARBE Machine. It took a while, but the generous support of the HSNY and availability of Perkins grant funding helped make it happen. Excited for this update to the classrooms!

A recent manufacturing project asked students to rivet, thread, file, and finish a lapel pin. Allowed some creativity, a few students modeled their pins after North Seattle College’s mascot, Star the Pacific Tree Frog. :)

A classic manufacturing assignment, the winding stem asks students to apply their filing and lathe skills. This is a first attempt at an over-sized stem, with the original in the back.

And we’re back from Winter break! 1st year students resume manufacturing; this time they are learning how to file squares on the lathe. These bits are threaded and then fitted onto a knurled stylus. On this example, Andrew has achieved both a lovely oil-blackened finish and even edges (with rounded corners) on the square.

Nearing the end of the year, which means WTI is renewing its membership to the AWCI. As 1 of 6 schools in the Research & Education Council (REC), our students benefit by receiving a free year of membership in this trade association. Students get access to online educational resources, monthly copies of the Horological Times, and deeper engagement with the industry. Happy to join the Lititz Watch Technicum, North American Inst. of Swiss Watchmaking, Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, Paris Junior College, and Gem City College in developing watchmaking education in the US!

An example of the student-made Incabloc pushers and anvils.

Student notes from the Horia Incabloc pusher/anvil project. Students must make a set of 6 pieces in steel. They’ll be turned on the lathe, hardened, tempered, then finished.

Threads are the last major manufacturing topic covered before the end of Fall quarter. Students learn to cut threads using taps and dies on their watchmaking lathes. With a little bit of planning and clean-up from a graver, two pieces can be joined easily and securely. Students are tasked with making a hand-pushing stylus along with multiple tips. The tips can be made from polycarbonate, acrylic, PEEK, polyimide, or vulcanized fiber rod stock.

Some scenes from this week as students make center punches, barrel closers, and Horia bits.