HISTORY

1966 1970 1976 1977 1984 1985 1986 1989 1990 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 WOSTEP opens in Neuchtel with a 1-year course for watchmakers from the USA. Director: Andr Farine. The Refresher Course is opened to watchmakers from all over the world. Antoine Simonin takes over after the death of Andr Farine. The Refresher Course is now a 20-week session, twice a year. First session of the Course on complicated watches. WOSTEP enlarges its premises. WOSTEP becomes a non-profit association with 27 members. President: Roland Frne. Introduction of a new selection of training sessions in Neuchtel and around the world. Introduction of lectures on watchmaking. 2 enlargement of the WOSTEP premises. WOSTEP celebrates its 25th anniversary. Introduction of the Worldwide Partnership with watchmaking schools Collaboration with 11 English-speaking watchmaking schools. Collaboration with 9 French-speaking watchmaking schools. 5 schools introduce the 3,000-hour program. WOSTEP celebrates its 30th anniversary and inaugurates its new premises. Collaboration with 10 new English-speaking watchmaking schools. OFIAMT (Swiss Federal Office for Industry, Trade and Labour) recognises the 3,000-hour WOSTEP program which becomes an official part of horological training in Switzerland. Collaboration with 7 German-speaking watchmaking schools. First final examination for 5 Partnership schools. Developpement of new teaching aids for the Partnership. WOSTEP now offers 27 courses for watchmakers, teachers and salespeople in 4 languages. First international conference for Partnership schools in Lititz USA. Maarten Pieters takes over from Antoine Simonin who retires after 27 years. Development of new services and requirements for the Partnership. WOSTEP now has over 100 members including representatives of the leading watch brands, manufacturers of movements and complicated watches, retailers in Switzerland and abroad, watchmaking organisations, allied trades and firms that manufacture electronic and workshop equipment, spare parts and tools. The Partnership includes 12 schools around the world with 3 additional projects in preparation. WOSTEP 40th anniversary. Creation of the WOSTEP Foundation. The WOSTEP Association is integrated into the Foundation. Introduction of the course "encasing technician". Development of the school watch WOSTEP 01. 1stWOSTEP Forum.
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1997 1998 2002 2003 2004 2005

2006 2007 2008 2010

CONTACT
Address

WOSTEP Rue des Saars 99 2000 Neuchtel, Switzerland Phone ++41 (0)32 729 00 30 Fax ++41 (0)32 729 00 35 E-Mail wostep@wostep.ch

Why 3,000 hours of training? Practice Makes Perfect and this is true for any manual profession! Unfortunately the present trend is to reduce the number of hours in most professions and it is an illusion to think that it is of no consequence. Switzerland has more than a century of experience in the training of watchmakers for after-sales service and the recommended minimum number of hours necessary to become a qualified professional watchmaker is 3,000 hours. The WOSTEP program can be spread over 2 or 3 years. The duration is not as important as the number of hours. Our responsibility towards the young people of today and tomorrow is to enable them to master a profession, to enjoy it and to be able to offer well appreciated services through their knowledge and skills.

Advantages offered with the Partnership Partnership schools are offered the following advantages. Curriculum of the 3,000-hour training course Further training of teachers Technical and didactical kits Enlarged models Students kits Hiring of chronograph watch-heads Books and technical documentation Organisation of the intermediate and final examinations WOSTEP certificate for graduates Some of these services are free of charge and others are charged to the schools at a preferential rate as they are sponsored by WOSTEP members

Curriculum of the 3,000-hour WOSTEP program Micromechanics Mechanical watches Chronographs Electronic watches External parts Organisation of an after-sales service Practice: 2.400 hours Theory: 600 hours

What can you expect from a WOSTEP trained watchmaker? To repair chronograph, automatic and electronic watches To work independently and solve problems behind the bench A sense of organisation Clean et precise work

Partnership requirements The following requirements have to be met: a minimum of 2 teachers for the Partnership with a maximum of 12 students per teacher implementation of the WOSTEP 3,000-hour training programme workshops equiped according to WOSTEPs specifications intermediate and final examinations according to WOSTEP criteria further training for instructors purchase of the WOSTEP students kit hire of watch-heads purchase of reference books for the written examination restricted use of the terms WOSTEP and the WOSTEP Partnership Students must be registered within 4 week of the start of a session. They must attend the complete 3,000-hour course at the school and must undergo 5 intermediate examinations. WOSTEP does not have direct contact with the students and does not help them find employment. Students who succeed in the final examination will be awarded a WOSTEP certificate. Partnership examinations (page 1 of 2) In order to qualify for the WOSTEP certificate, students have to undergo the following examinations: Intermediate examinations Duration : 3 1/2 days micromechanics making a pivot gauge micromechanics making a stem winding setting mechanism barrel gear train escapement hairsrping Final examination

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Duration : 18 1/2 hours

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theory overhaul of a chronograph overhaul of an automatic watch overhaul of an electronic watch

Partnership examinations (page 2 of 2) Conditions WOSTEP maximum mark is 6. The conditions relating to the awarding of a WOSTEP certificate are as follows:

The student must obtain at least a 4 in each of the following areas: self-winding watch, electronic watch, chronograph and written paper.

ONE mark below 4 but not below 3.5 will be accepted on condition that the average mark is at least 4.

The organisation of the final examination is under the sole responsibility of WOSTEP and a team of WOSTEP approved experts will be in charge of the assessment of the exam pieces. Students who meet the above mentioned requirements will be awarded a WOSTEP certificate.

WHAT CAN WOSTEP DO FOR YOU?

Since 1966, WOSTEP provides services for the Swiss watch industry and its representatives around the world, as well as for independent watchmakers in Switzerland and abroad. These services have been developped since 1966 and are constantly adapted in order to be in line with the needs of a quality aftersales service. The WOSTEP courses can be held in English, French, German and Italian but not all the courses are inevitably available in 4 languages. General conditions Courses are given by a WOSTEP-approved technical team Candidates must be over 23 years of age Certificates and diplomas are recognised by the Swiss watch industry and its representatives around the world

OUR COURSES
Course for practising watchmakers Chronographs Course Refresher Course Turning Course Train the Trainers Introduction to the chronograph Introduction to the Swiss lever escapement Introduction to precision timing Basic training Full training course Courses for sales and administrative people Knowledge of the Swiss watch industry and its products Chronographs Course Type Course for practising watchmakers Participants

Participants must have followed a watchmaking school and have a complementary experience in watch repairing. Watchmakers with no such basic training must have a minimum of 3 years full-time experience in watchmaking Programme Theory: Terminology of chronographs Definitions Description of the main functions Study of various chronograph systems Practice: Study and repair of various chronograph systems such as: Frdric Piguet caliber 1180 - Column wheel - vertical clutch Nlle Lmania caliber 1873 - Cam system Dubois Dpraz caliber 2020 - module system Valjoux caliber 7750 - Cam system Duration 3 weeks More informations Chronographs course.pdf

OUR COURSES
Refresher Course Type Course for practising watchmakers Participants Practising watchmakers with a minimum of 3 years full-time experience in after-sales service Programme Mechanical, automatic, electronic and chronograph watches Gear train, winding and setting, escapement, timing, casing Methods of watch repairing and workshop organisation Visits to factories 3 intermediate examincations Final examination Duration 20 weeks - 840 hours More informations Refresher Course.pdf

Turning Course Type Course for practising watchmakers Participants Practising watchmakers Programme Basic and fine turning Reproduction of broken or missing parts Sharpening gravers Measuring instruments Use of the Jacot tool Handling a burnisher Knowledge of metals and turning speed Duration 10 weeks - 420 hours More informations Turning course.pdf

OUR COURSES
Train the Trainers Type Course for practising watchmakers Participants Practising watchmakers in charge of training or in a position where they have to communicate technical knowledge Programme How to transmit technical information effectively How to structure technical courses and improve your teaching skills How to build up a key-point technique Duration 5 days - 35 hours More informations Train the trainers.pdf

Enlarged models Enlarged models have been created for Partnership schools in order to help them in their teaching activities. These models have also been popular in factories, shops, boutiques as they offer an interesting way of giving customers and employees "inside information". At the moment the following models are available: Escapement Balance-wheel Collet CHF 900.CHF 3200.CHF 297.-

Shipping and insurance costs will be added. WOSTEP members who finance the Partnership programme benefit from a 25 % discount. Orders can be placed through our e-mail address: wostep@wostep.ch