Certification
The Benefits of Certification:
- Time is Money – You’ll see improved productivity and profitability.
- Distinguishes you from the competition.
- Gives your customers confidence in your service.
- Enhances the brands you carry and promotes both your reputation and integrity.
What is Certification?
Certification means a watch or clock repair professional has proven to a board of professionals that he or she has the skills required to perform quality repairs on the materials for which they are certified. The 21st Century certification exam involves a stringent 4-day examination of 5 major areas on the technical aspects of watchmaking. Clockmakers are required to pass each section of a 10-task examination in order to receive their certification. Certified watchmakers are required, and clockmakers are encouraged, to maintain their standing by taking a schedule of continuing education courses.
On What Subjects are Watchmakers Examined?
The 4-day Certification examination includes:
- Taking a written exam covering a variety of theoretical subjects
- Candidates must demonstrate their micromechanical abilities by using a lathe
- Performing complete service on a quartz watch
- Performing complete service on a mechanical watch
- Performing a complete service on a chronograph watch
During the course of the examination, the candidate is required to operate a variety of industry-standard equipment to demonstrate the quality of the work they have completed. Candidates are assessed for their quality of work and their meticulous detail.
How To Prepare for CW21 Exam (click here)
AWCI is the only organization to provide industry-recognized certification for watchmakers.
What are Clockmakers Asked to do for Certification?
Clockmakers must use a larger variety of machinery to repair or restore clocks. They are asked to demonstrate 10 proficiencies:
- Their shop is reviewed by a peer mentor to insure safety, security and proper tooling
- Take a written examination covering a variety of theoretical subjects
- Repivot a clock wheel
- Replace, by hand, several teeth in a wheel
- Remove, replace and properly grease and reload a mainspring in a clock barrel, and hand cut a proper hole in a mainspring end for reuse
- Rebuild a lantern pinion
- Perform general maintenance and service on a 3-chime floor clock
- Perform general maintenance and service on a cuckoo clock
- Perform general maintenance and service on a 400-day or anniversary clock
- Perform general maintenance and service on an American mantel movement
