In 2023, Rolex established the Rolex Watchmaking Training Center to prepare and educate the next generation of American watchmakers. The program’s goal is both to create new educational and career opportunities for people interested in becoming Rolex Certified Watchmakers and to ensure there is a pool of skilled watchmakers to support our retail and service partners long term.
For generations, watchmakers were plentiful worldwide and watchmaking was a not-uncommon career path for those with technical and artistic ambitions. However, when the quartz watch emerged in the 1970s and grew in popularity through the 1980s, the demand for watchmakers plummeted. The number of watchmaking schools in the United States alone dropped by more than 75% over just a few decades.
However, mechanical watches experienced a revival in the 1990s and the dire shortage of skilled watchmakers quickly became apparent. Mechanical watches need regular servicing to keep them clean and lubricated and to recalibrate their timekeeping mechanisms. Rolex established the Lititz Watch Technicum in Pennsylvania in 2001 to address the shortage, training new watchmakers and evolving its curriculum to adapt to the changing landscape.
Today, the Rolex Watchmaking Training Center, located in Dallas, Texas, is honoring that legacy with a new 18-month educational program that trains students as Rolex Certified Watchmakers and helps them pursue careers working in Rolex’s service network across North America.
Be a part of the future of American watchmaking at the Rolex Watchmaking Training Center.
To make RWTC an option for as many applicants as possible, our program is completely tuition-free for all students.
In just a year and a half, students graduate as Rolex Certified Watchmakers, ready to begin a career at the bench.
Students begin to work on watches immediately; our program is the only one in the United States to focus a full six months on Rolex watches.
Our dedicated team of administrators and instructors aim to empower each student to create their ideal watchmaking career and to succeed both at the bench and beyond.
The Rolex Watchmaking Training Center is a tuition-free program, and all tools and learning materials needed to complete the course are provided. Additionally, students receive a monthly stipend of $1,800 to help offset cost-of-living expenses and to allow students to be engaged in the program full-time.
The course’s final exam is administered in Geneva, Switzerland, and all expenses for this trip are covered by the RWTC as well.
No prior watchmaking knowledge or experience is required.
When applications are open, you can complete the application on our website.
We value your privacy
On our website, we use services (including from third-party providers) that help us to improve our online presence. The following categories of cookies are used by us and can be managed in the cookie settings. We need your consent before being able to use these services. Alternatively, you may click to refuse to consent, or access more detailed information and change your preferences before consenting. Your preferences will apply to this website only. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser history/cache or visiting our privacy policy page.
By authorizing third-party services, you allow the placement and the reading of cookies and the use of tracking technologies required to keep our website reliable and secure.
We value your privacy
Review and set your consent preferences for each partner below. Expand each partner list item for more information to help make your choice. Some personal data is processed without your consent, but you have the right to object.
Privacy policy: https://www.rolex.com/legal-notices/cookies.html
Purposes (consent)
Legitimate interest Purpose(S)
