Jump to content

Bhi Distance Learning


Recommended Posts

Old Hippy,

I think back in the early 1970s there were numerous independent watch repair shops and several watch repair schools. The Chicago School of Watchmaking, Bulova School of Watchmaking plus many watch repair programs offered in various community collages. The mechanical watch industry was almost destroyed after the Japanese figured out a way to miniaturize the piezoelectric quartz crystal by machining  it into the shape of a tuning fork. This paved the way for a more accurate, more dependable watch at a much lower cost per watch. This also led to the ultimate demize  of the independent watch shop. The mechanical watch industry was brought back to life by the Swiss watch companies. Unfortunately, for the small independent repair shops,  they also took over the service and repair aspects of the industry. This was also sad for the customers who purchased their watches because these companies turned watch service into a rip-off operation. My dentist was quoted around $2000.00 and an 8 month turnaround from Patek Phillipe to clean and lubricate his watch. A small independent repair shop might have charged $150.00 with a 3 day turnaround.

david 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, david said:

Old Hippy,

I think back in the early 1970s there were numerous independent watch repair shops and several watch repair schools. The Chicago School of Watchmaking, Bulova School of Watchmaking plus many watch repair programs offered in various community collages. The mechanical watch industry was almost destroyed after the Japanese figured out a way to miniaturize the piezoelectric quartz crystal by machining  it into the shape of a tuning fork. This paved the way for a more accurate, more dependable watch at a much lower cost per watch. This also led to the ultimate demize  of the independent watch shop. The mechanical watch industry was brought back to life by the Swiss watch companies. Unfortunately, for the small independent repair shops,  they also took over the service and repair aspects of the industry. This was also sad for the customers who purchased their watches because these companies turned watch service into a rip-off operation. My dentist was quoted around $2000.00 and an 8 month turnaround from Patek Phillipe to clean and lubricate his watch. A small independent repair shop might have charged $150.00 with a 3 day turnaround.

david 

I absolutely agree David but the issue small independents and one man operations have is credibility.  The scenario is a customer goes to Rolex & is quoted £600 + parts then goes to an independent & is quoted £150. The customer is then in a quandary does he trust the independent to service his Rolex or take the hit with a guarantee repair with Rolex. 
I think this is why those that would like to make a living from watch repair/servicing should at least get some sort of accreditation such as from the BHI. The best would be a recognised apprenticeship but for many this is just not possible. 
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's funny that you mention £600 CB.  That's exactly what a friend had to pay to have his Rolex GMT serviced; it would have been over £2000 if he let them do all the extras like case and bracelet.  Here's the bad bit.............it now barely holds to a minute a day and he was fed a load of bull$it when he took it back and complained.  He's now decided to sell it as it and buy a high end quartz  'cause it's not worth all the hassle. :-(

I personally would use a highly reputable independent!

Edited by Geo
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, Geo said:

It's funny that you mention £600 CB.  That's exactly what a friend had to pay to have his Rolex GMT serviced; it would have been over £2000 if he let them do all the extras like case and bracelet.  Here's the bad bit.............it now barely holds to a minute a day and he was fed a load of bull$it when he took it back and complained.  He's now decided to sell it as it and buy a high end quartz  'cause it's not worth all the hassle. :-(

I personally would use a highly reputable independent!

I have also been told of other horror stories such as this. But it's the credibility us independents do not have is the problem.In some ways the industry is getting into a real mess since the Swiss stirred up the pot.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it comes with a guarantee, then it should be taken back. If at the time there was no guarantee given then it is all down to the person that the watch belongs too. I always gave a full 1-year’s guarantee if the watch had a complete overhaul.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He did take it back but was so dismayed by the bull$hit that he had no confidence in them to do a good job the second time.  Neither did he want to enter into a prolonged argument with the the "experts" that would grind him down.  All he wants is a good reliable watch that doesn't need fettled every five years or so at an exorbitant price, so quartz it is.  He will also manage a couple of nice cruises from the sale of the Rolex!  I had to agree with him.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oooops I can see this topic has restarted, ok as for my quandary with the BHI distance course,  I will hopefully for a few pounds next week get the whole syllabus to study and see if it's for me, I attended a BHI function this weekend and not to be disrespectful, but myself and two qualified smiths that I know lowered the average age of that hall by about 45+ years, and none of us are spring chickens, and there's a fact that the industry needs to take a look at, its a dying trade, quite literally! 

It a shame, and there in lies a heads a up to the BHI, to maybe give out abit more info, so a ups potential smiths can get an idea aupsns to what's expected of them.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

40 minutes ago, transporter said:

 I attended a BHI function this weekend and not to be disrespectful, but myself and two qualified smiths that I know lowered the average age of that hall by about 45+ years, and none of us are spring chickens, and there's a fact that the industry needs to take a look at, its a dying trade, quite literally! 

You've hit the nail on the head. The old guys at BHI want  to preserve their income and aloofness image with zero innovation,  in turn they leverage street-facing shops which service older customers that give more importance to a frame on the wall, than Internet reputation.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rolex charge £600+ and take 4 months to return the watch.As an independent I charge £350 and return within 2-3 weeks maximum.
I was told from a very highly qualified watchmaker when I was starting out
1) Don’t be too cheap or the customer will think your work will be sub standard.
2)Don’t be too quick or the customer will think your work will be sub standard
Wise words that have served me well.
I always give a 12 month guarantee but never give a guarantee on water resistance. I do, however, tell the customer whether the pressure test passed or failed. To date, it’s never been an issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
On 10/23/2017 at 3:15 AM, transporter said:

.. I attended a BHI function this weekend and not to be disrespectful, but myself and two qualified smiths that I know lowered the average age of that hall by about 45+ years, and none of us are spring chickens, and there's a fact that the industry needs to take a look at, its a dying trade, quite literally! 

Hah, I noticed the same at the awards ceremony last weekend (my first time there), but I knew that would likely be the case anyway. I think they're aware of their advanced average age, and they're very keen to attract younger members.

I'm doing the DLC just because I have no other means to learn (besides internet and books), and I think it's a fun course. Like any education, there may be parts of it you don't like. I never had any interest in quartz watches and clocks, but discovered that high-end (non-junk) quartz watches are OK, and clocks are great. I had technical drafting nightmares from school days, but actually enjoyed CAD escapement drawing (year 2).

And yes, the first few units are about metalworking skills. If you're already good at that, then it's easy for you, but the course targets beginners. If you never plan to make new parts at all then maybe this course it not for you. For the technician exams you will need to make a fictitious clock part.

Did you ask the BHI for a few sample lessons? I do agree with you that it can be hard to find out detailed information about the DLC, exam procedures etc. I'm doing everything from afar, which makes the procedures (invigilator, etc) even more complicated.

You mention £600, but that won't be enough. Exams are £120 apiece these days, and there's three for the technician grade.

If you think you're good enough, you can always just start taking in customer work, and build up a critical mass of clients. Or buy, fix and sell watches on eBay. When you're established with a good reputation, nobody will care about your qualifications anyway.

Cheers!

    Rob

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, jdm said:

Do they administer exams outside the UK, or remotely?

Depending on where you live, they may be able to arrange an invigilator for you. I had to find one myself, which can be very difficult (I was lucky to have a professor friend at a local uni). Exams are never done remotely (i.e. skype or something), but only with an approved invigilator.

For technician grade, you'd need the invigilator for D1 (theory) and D4 (quartz service).

Year three exams have to be done at the BHI, which means I'm going back there next year :)

Cheers,

    Rob

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, teegee said:

Depending on where you live, they may be able to arrange an invigilator for you. I had to find one myself, which can be very difficult (I was lucky to have a professor friend at a local uni). Exams are never done remotely (i.e. skype or something), but only with an approved invigilator.

For technician grade, you'd need the invigilator for D1 (theory) and D4 (quartz service).

Year three exams have to be done at the BHI, which means I'm going back there next year :)

Good for you if you have the will and funds for all that. In practice the way the administer exams and the travel makes most of the cost for anyone not living in the UK. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I’m back again folks, well I got the whole course work from a very kind fellow, weighs in a 3kg!!! I’ve had a look through and there’s some good stuff in there, I’ve only browsed at the moment so will look in depth later.

i attended a local watch and clock fair at the weekend ( managed to pick up a full Helios staking set for £80 ) and the BHI were there trying to get people interested in joking etc, well unfortunately it going to come down to COST, first to do the DLC you need to join the BHI £102 annually then you need £600 for the course then £ 102 per exam x 3, if you want to practice an exam they charge £500!!!  For other modules such as quartz it’s another £450 for a 2 day course, to learn how to hold a file and use hand tools add another £450 to the bill for another 2 day course. I will list the prices when I get home and course durations so members can have their say on costs etc.

i understand that these are skilled people doing the teaching and funding must come from somewhere, but these prices and durations of courses seem to me a little excessive, how long will it take someone to recoup that amount??

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • A already know the size movement I have the problem is the dial a had purchased has a dimension 20.6mm wide a want to find a watch case that going to fit the dial perfectly 
    • Hi.  I would like to take issue here regarding battery driven , watches, clocks,etc. I will and do repair these clocks in fact I have sever al in my collection as well as the regular mechanical ones. I have one on my mantle piece over 60 years old tha belonged to my wife’s Aunt,  long gone Iam afraid and it has been cleaned etc and never missed a beat and is accurate. Every one has their preduices as regards Electrical /electronic Horology but I regard it as part of the progress time line of the art of Horology and to be treated as such. Like Darwin’s theory of evolution it evolved.  Two cavemen knocking rocks together and a shard broke off , looking at it he worked out if it was stuck on the end of a stick he would have a spear. Likewise his pal seeing what he was up to picked up a piece  and did the same, now that’s evolution. Some clockmaker decided to build a clock that ran with a battery and no spring to wind up and break, progress and both the mechanical and battery driven clocks evolved, the battery ones got better to the point that if it broke you changed the complete unit. Likewise watches did the same but both can be repaired by people who approach Horology with an open mind without preduice.  We all have our likes and dislikes bu I for one would never dismiss any technology because I don’t like it.   The mobile phone is a good example of modern technology at work as is the automotive industry. There buttons and switches in my car I don’t use because to me they are not nesessary but I still drive the car.
    • I haven't gone through all the reading of what it might be or not. The first thing I would do if nothing obvious stands out is replace the mainspring, you have to start at the source of the power. Nine times out of ten that is the problem.  
    • Haha. You're just in a wicked mood today John 😅
    • Heres my watch of today, a Smith 13'" RY . My missus bought me this for this Valentines day a bargain 14.99 with a reduction, the seller has occasional 20% off offers now and then so it was about 15ish with delivery. I love Smiths and i love bulleye dials, this is my first one. The watch arrived non working as stated and i knew what was inside and what would be against me, but i enjoy a challenge, we dont expect a lot if anything from pin pallet movements. A balance pivot was broken and i didnt have another staff but i did have another RY with a battered dial so i robbed the balance and tweaked it around to make it work apart from that mostly just a good clean and relubrication. Keyless works are pretty rough by design and the crown is a bugger to get in and out with the dial on, the setting lever hits the dial before it releases it, so a little mod is needed to help that along. Major problem was the pins on the lever were quite worn which make the old tg have a snow storm fit. Its a similar read for most pin pallets, these were brass as was the escape wheel. But perseverance is me, i didn't change the pins but i did spend some time dressing and polishing the worn areas which improved the trace a lot with some straightish lines 😅 and a beat error of .5 . Not sure what the lift angle should be on these and i Wasn't in the mood to work it out and who believes timegraphers anyway, but at the default 52° it runs with 260ish full 210 after 24 hours dial down , the verticals rates were pretty much all over place. So lets just put it in it's superlight aluminium case and see what happens. Been wearing it now for 3 weeks and it's consistently losing around 1.5  minutes a week winding each morning i think pretty good for an old pin pallet watch. I just love this dial, thanks wifey heres my Valentine's gift for yer sweetie x
×
×
  • Create New...