Getting into watchmaking as a beginner with little money to go around

[Turbocks]

So some time ago I started to watch wristwatch revival which is a YouTube channel that repairs and services wristwatches and pocket watches and I have bought several old wall clocks and one mantle clock which I paid to have professionally restored for around 6000 SEK with 3000 SEK upfront and the rest being paid off gradually using klarna and it had a few issues one of which was a broken mainspring .

I know about Seth Hansen which is a website advertised on wristwatch revivals videos in the description the only problem is that the kits are quite expensive with the most expensive kit costing like 9000 SEK which I can't even afford at once without saving money for months on end and then there are the courses on Seth Hansen which are also rather pricey as my income per month is only around 14000 kronor per month as I live on disability/welfare money because of my disability and I am unemployed and I live in a pretty small special needs accommodated housing apartment with personnel.

I do want to get into watchmaking both as a hobby but also as a potential job but my education was in samhälle utbildningen at a high school for disabled folks and my grades were not all that great neither in high school or in elementary school even with special needs education although I exceeded at social subjects I was terrible at math and several other subjects which coincides with the fact I am terrible at problem solving and math related problems even point and click games make me struggle with what to do next without some sort of guide and that is a problem because the entry exam for urmakeriskolan at Motala is supposed to have questions that test problem solving and math skills and I am worried I might mess up my chances of getting a education.

There is really only one place in Sweden that has education for watchmakers located in Motala and I live in the southern parts of Sweden meaning a train ride back to back will cost me a 1000 kronor at the very least and that is for a 3 year education .

I am kind of aware of the tools I will need like an ultrasonic cleaner a screwdriver set pincers oils and much more like movement holders and hand removers.

I know of a watchmaker in my city which is the one where I serviced my mantle clock a few years back but I am not sure if I can apply for a mentorship there or if there are other requirements .

Any ideas and tips on how I can start getting into watchmaking as a beginner on a budget?

 

[Neonatal RRT]

The Top 10 Watchmaker Schools in the United States

 

[Turbocks]

The Top 10 Watchmaker Schools in the United States

I am not from the US I am swedish

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

I would contact the watchmaker and just talk to him about the work in general. If it goes well you might ask him how best to get into it. Perhaps he would take you on as an employee. Or not. But it is where I would start.

With the less than stellar academic skills you described, going to school is likely to be unsuccessful. Unless it is a real trade school.

 

[Outdated]

I agree with WhiteWaterWoman. I think the best place to start is by talking to your local watchmaker, ask him where you could get a bit of "hands on" learning. He might know of other watchmakers looking to take on an apprentice.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Sweden's main watchmaking school is the
IHU Urmakarskolan (Watchmaker School in Motala), the only Nordic school following Swiss WOSTEP standards, offering a comprehensive 3000-hour program leading to Swedish & WOSTEP certificates, with strong industry ties like internships with MALM watches, training future world-class watchmakers in classic and modern horology.
Key Watchmaking School in Sweden:

• IHU Urmakarskolan (Motala): This is Sweden's premier institution, known for its rigorous, Swiss-standard training.
  • Program: A 3000-hour program covering both traditional and modern watchmaking, including micro-mechanics.
  • Certifications: Graduates receive a polytechnic degree, the international WOSTEP certificate, and a Swedish "gesällbrev" (journeyman's certificate).
  • Industry Connection: Strong collaborations with Swedish watch brands like MALM provide students with valuable internships and real-world experience, aiming to keep talent within Sweden.

Other Related Centers:

• K&H Watchmaking Competence Centre (KHWCC): While not in Sweden (it's in Le Locle, Switzerland), it's run by Swedish watchmaker Henrik Korpela and offers high-level training in English, focusing on classical watchmaking and micro-mechanics for international students, showing Swedish expertise extends globally.

For aspiring watchmakers in Sweden, the Motala school offers the most direct path to becoming a certified professional with international recognition.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

I find the information above quite interesting, but the OP already knows about Motala.

He also says he was in special education, his grades were "not great" and is self described as terrible at problem solving skills, math skills. While there may be exceptions, these qualities indicate his chances at success in any regular school are low.

There are people who can become skilled and valuable resources in the trades without having the academic skills to be successful in school.

That is why I suggest he look for more informal training with a current watch maker. He could be assigned simple skills at first and move on to more complex skills.

There are trade schools in Sweden. This is post-high school level. Here is a link in English to Swedish trade schools, but there is an original in Swedish. I didn't see any watch making skills specifically, but not all the specialties are listed.

Swedish Trade Schools

Sweden does support many kinds of education, taking into account what might be called special interests, in high schools. My grandson, for example, is in a high school specializing in equestrian skills. He spends only a couple hours a day on academics and then the rest of the time on equestrian skills, ie, riding horses.

I think it is worth the time for the OP to investigate trade schools. There is financial aid, too.