Hello, I'm new

[KelSolaar]

I'm Dan from Cheltenham and have been weighing up learning watch repair and servicing as a change of career in IT. There seems to me a fair demand in the market. What do you guys think?

I am going to take Mark's courses. 

[dadistic]

Greetings!

Try it, you might like it. 

[Vacherin]

Don't give up the day job just yet! Learn the skills for sure, then go freelance in IT (if not already), hopefully just pick the more enjoyable nice well paid IT contracts, balance one against the other. If you are freelance and operate the watch and IT from one company, perhaps training, tools of the trade etc, claim back VAT on purchases, courses. Hopefully this gives you a more secure future and a good work/life balance.

[ecodec]

Hi Dan, I`m near Southampton. Good wishes for the career change but go slowly and carefully.  Mark is a very good and experienced Watch repairer. I do it for a hobby and  have received very some in depth  training from a now departed Geneve trained friend many years ago. A good start. However,  I only very occasionally  put it into practice until I sold my electronics business and retired and  I am Not a watchmaker, I call myself a Jobber Fixer. What the market is like for mechanical watches I do not know. Some good modern ones are sometimes badge engineered and are expensive. Most repairs will be Quartz and no doubt mainly batteries although there is a lot more to fixing a quartz watch than just fitting a battery. The mechanical watches I repair are mainly vintage ones from people who will not pay for  professional repairs. They are sometimes in use and sometimes they have been in a drawer for 25 years. There is little professional outside help forthcoming except from this fine forum where both very knowledgeable and experienced people will be found. As regards a new career in watch repair you must survey the market yourself and I give you my good wishes in all areas. Best regards, Mike.  PS, Vacherin offers sound business advice.

Edited May 1, 2018 by ecodec
Extra information.

[omx5o]

Hi Dan,

I have just started collecting pocket watches as a hobby, but I highly recommend Mark's courses, you'll be up and running in no time.

Peter

[KelSolaar]

Thank you folks for taking the time to respond, sage advice no doubt and I take on board all that's been said especially detailed response from ecodec there.

I have started Mark's course now, which is so far very easy to follow. I've ordered some essential products online, compared to automotive tools for example things are comparatively cheap, which is nice. I suppose size has a bearing on that.

On a side note - I contacted both the British School of Watchmaking and the BHI by email (one does distance learning which is not what I'd call ideal) and have heard nothing for about 2 weeks. I had heard other people online mentioned a similar lack of communication.