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Lititz Watch Technicum
Watchmaking school in Pennsylvania, U.S. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Lititz Watch Technicum is a watchmaking school located in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and was designed by an architect Michael Graves.[1][2] The school, founded by Rolex in 2001, was created to help make up for the deficiency of skilled watchmakers in the United States.[3][4] In the mid-1970's, there were 44 watchmaking academies in America, but by 2001 the number had dwindled to just ten,[5] and in 2019 only six remained.[6] The 54,000 square foot facility on Wynfield Drive also houses the Rolex service center.[5]
Offering free tuition to its inaugural September 2001 class, Rolex received hundreds of applications, but accepted only twelve students. Ranging age from 17 to 37,[5][7] they were taught in three classrooms over an 11-month academic year, eight hours a day, five days a week.[2] Charles Berthiaume, director of the school, told the Associated Press "With the shortage of watchmakers, we're literally missing a generation."[7]
The Technicum offers a two-year, 3000+ hour SAWTA (Swiss American Watchmaker's Training Alliance) curriculum. Tuition is free, however, students must pay for the cost of their toolkits, which is around $7000, along with housing and meals.[8] The program focuses on micromechanics and watch service for high-end, luxury watches with a strong emphasis on chronographs.[9]
In 2010, the school, established as a nonprofit foundation, became an educational subsidiary of the Rolex corporation. At the time, principal Herman Mayer was one of its three instructors and 21 students were enrolled.[10]
By 2017, the Lititz Watch Technicum had put 148 students though its 3,500 hour training program with an 85% graduation rate.[5]
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References
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