Rolex Watchmaking Training Program, Class of 2026

At the time of publishing this post, I will have less than 3 days until our graduation ceremony. Our program is essentially complete, and we are all practically watchmakers. My experience was definitely a unique one considering my starting point. I felt very well-equipped to take in the bulk of the information given and apply it to the work in front of me while those who came with little or no experience had to build a bit of that foundation first. Despite my background, I still feel like I’ve learned so much. I’m leagues better than I was before I got here and I don’t believe I’d be as good as I am now had I have gone anywhere else or learned under anyone else.

My feelings about the program are about the same as they were when I first applied. RWTC was the perfect school to get accepted to, and I still wholeheartedly believe that today. I would not have the freedom to work for who I wanted had I had gone to another school that might have required me to seek a sponsorship and potentially lock me into a lengthy contract.

I have been reached out to over the Internet in regard to the program and applying, which allows me an opportunity to give a bit of advice for these potential future students. Some tips I give are to never be too smart to learn and to always treat people with respect. In this job, learning never stops. You are always learning some new technique or adapting some new process to your workflow or even learning a completely new movement or brand or complication. It is paramount that you make sure your ego does not get in the way of you being the best student you can be or the best watchmaker you can be. The second point is also very important to me. This industry is quite small and first impressions are important. Everyone is maybe 2 degrees of separation from every other watchmaker on the planet. People remember how you treat them and how you speak to them and will tell others of their interaction with you if your name should ever come up. Do your best to build positive rapport with those around you and you will see yourself surrounded with those who you may have positively impacted, even if in the slightest of ways.

My future goals are the same as ever: keep learning and keep improving, both as a person and as a watchmaker. I’m very excited to learning more Rolex calibers as well as broadening my scope to other brands. I’m also hoping my situation allows me to pursue an opportunity given to me by Rachel to become part of the RWTC teaching staff. Helping the next generation of students learn to love the job that has given myself and my family so much opportunity could be amazing!

Thank you, Tim, for teaching me how to be a watchmaker. Thank you, Johnny, for everything you did to help me be better than I was yesterday. Thank you, Rachel, for allowing me the opportunity to succeed and give my family more than we’ve ever had. It means a lot to me to be a part of this inaugural class and there will only ever be one Cohort 1!