Facility Updates

Help us continue to enhance our facilities

We are actively seeking generous sponsors and donations. Our goal is to fill gaps in micromechanics skills and reignite passion for the trade, which is one of our top priorities.

Donation Wishlist

Celebrating 66 years as a unified horological association, AWCI connects various industry professionals, hobbyists, and collectors to advance horology through education and cooperation.

To bridge a growing industry "skills gap"—driven by retiring professionals and a rising generational interest in precision craftsmanship—AWCI is executing a broader four-stage educational and facility-expansion plan.

AWCI Project Stages

5/29/2026- Completion of Stage 1

AWCI recently completed Stage 1 of its expansion, which added approximately 1,140 square feet of new classroom space and 1,380 square feet of new workshop space. This phase introduced several key upgrades:

  • Enhanced Capacity: Hiring a second instructor in 2025 marked the start of the facility's expansion. AWCI can now teach out of seven different classroom environments simultaneously (including Clockmaking, Foundations, and Mobile classrooms).

  • Upgraded Classrooms: Features a new Professional Classroom with a six-bench layout for low student-to-instructor ratios, a Polishing Room that has already doubled its class sizes, and an expanded Cleaning Room with twice the automatic cleaning machinery and 14 sinks.

  • Precision Lab & Machine Shop: Converted from former storage areas, the Precision Lab focuses on advanced technical education (like micromechanics and parts creation), while the Machine Shop utilizes CNC and manual equipment to create custom instructional tooling and fixtures.

Fig 1

Looking Ahead: Stage 2 and Beyond

  • New Coursework: Stage 2 will bring a Welding and Lapping classroom online for case restoration classes (tentatively planned for 2027). Upcoming curriculum includes a Modern Vintage Chronograph class later this year and a hybrid Fusion 360/CAD modeling class in 2027.

  • Community Support: As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, AWCI’s rapid progress has been heavily accelerated by equipment and financial donations from members, donors, and industry partners. The institute is actively seeking continued community support and equipment via wishlists to fuel its long-term roadmap.

Fig 5