North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking Celebrates First Graduating Class

The North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking celebrated its first graduating class on April 2. The Class is comprised of students who have completed a two year program and will receive a North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking Watchmaker Certificate. The North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking (NAIOSW) opened its doors in 2009 and is part of The Institute of Swiss Watchmaking (IOSW) which was founded by Richemont in 2008 in partnership with Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program (WOSTEP). WOSTEP is an independent institution that is recognized as an exemplary training center in the field of watchmaking. It partners with watchmaking schools throughout the world to ensure high training standards and quality education in accordance with the demanding criteria of the Swiss fine watchmaking industry. The NAISW was developed in order to preserve the art of fine watchmaking and meet an increasing demand for qualified craftspeople. The highly selective program accepts six students per program to guarantee students ample one-on-one training time with some of the finest watchmaking instructors in the industry. There are two certificates offered at the school – Watch Encasing Technician Certificate which requires 640 hours of training over four months and Watchmaker Certificate which requires 3000 hours over two years. The two year Watchmaker program provides an advanced education and training which meet the exacting requirements of the “Swiss Made” standard. Both curricula feature a student-centered learning environment offering the student both knowledge and understanding based on theory and experience. The trainers have a combined 50+ years of watchmaking and teaching experience. “We are delighted to see our first class of WOSTEP certified watchmakers graduate from the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking. We wish our graduates a successful and rewarding career in the fine watchmaking industry here in the United States or anywhere else in the world. Being a WOSTEP partner school, the North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking provides its students with an internationally recognized education and certificate meeting the highest standards in Swiss watchmaking. We celebrate today the accomplishment of dedicated individuals who for the past two years have discovered and embraced the craft of fine watchmaking. We also celebrate the first stepping stone in the long term strategy of the Institute: to promote and develop the art of fine watchmaking in North America. Our state of the art training and educational facility is the perfect platform for capable individuals with an interest in fine watchmaking to acquire and develop their competencies. This year, the Institute will welcome a third instructor to increase its training offer and meet the growing educational demand in this field” Said Denis Jaquenoud, NAIOSW President. In addition to The NAIOSW Fort Worth, The Institute of Swiss Watchmaking also offers programs in its Hong Kong school the HKIOSW. For further information, please visit www.iosw.com.