Voices from Students

Please tell us your gender and age.: Male, 60s
Why did you decide to learn watch repair?: Upon retiring, I began studying watch repair, something I had always wanted to try.
What are the points you liked about Mr. Fujimoto's teaching style?: He is clear, maintains an appropriate speed and rhythm, provides concise explanations, effectively communicates tips and techniques, offers a variety of helpful hints, incorporates a lot of practical experiments to support watch theories, and always follows up with answers to questions that cannot be immediately answered. His personality also contributes to making me love watches even more (or rather, dragging me deeper into the watch enthusiast world!). He is an excellent teacher.
Please share one thing about the charm of watch repair that you want to convey.: Modern mechanical watches are not just tools to tell time; they are works of art and a part of culture. Thinking of watch repair as an activity to preserve culture makes it even more enjoyable.
A word to those who are considering to learn watch repair: Watches are inherently enjoyable, but when you become capable of disassembling, assembling, and repairing them, the world of watches becomes even wider and deeper, doubling the fun and making you love watches even more.

Please tell us your gender and age.: Female, 20s
Why did you decide to learn watch repair?: I work at a watch and eyewear store that has been in business for 71 years. The craftsman who used to handle the watch business for the previous owner has become elderly, so I decided to learn about watch repair knowledge and skills in order to take over some of the tasks and responsibilities.
What are the points you liked about Mr. Fujimoto's teaching style?: He is kind and friendly, providing thorough instructions. With clear explanations, even beginners can feel at ease attending his lectures. Watch repair involves many complex tasks, but he is a trustworthy teacher who ensures that you understand everything before moving on.
Please share one thing about the charm of watch repair that you want to convey.: The appeal of repair skills lies in their applicability, making it easy to combine with various other professions. This versatility is especially attractive in areas where there are no other stores in the same industry, such as local shopping districts. While the watch retail industry is declining due to online sales, to acquire solid knowledge and skills in watch repair, including battery replacement and band adjustment, can earn trust from customers as a skilled craftsman.
A word to those who are considering to learn watch repair: While watches are gradually being replaced by high-tech devices, there are still many people, especially older individuals, who continue to cherish traditional watches. However, the act of repairing used items seems to be less common nowadays, which makes these solid repair skills and knowledge increasingly valuable. Also, besides the price and brand of a watch, what truly gives value to a timepiece might be the emotional attachment of the user. The ability to meet the desire of individuals who want to use their favorite watches for a long time is a timeless skill that is always in demand, regardless of the era.

Please tell us your gender and age.: Male, 30s
Why did you decide to learn watch repair?: I love watches, and I've always enjoyed tinkering with mechanical objects, so I became curious about their inner workings.
What are the points you liked about Mr. Fujimoto's teaching style?: The excellent balance between theory and hands-on practice. The precision required in assembly, such as lubrication, was particularly beneficial. The well-organized sequence in teaching concepts. I developed a love for watch repair under Professor Fujimoto's guidance and ended up changing my career path to become a watchmaker.
Please share one thing about the charm of watch repair that you want to convey.: I will say that it is the satisfaction of assembling highly precise components that operate solely on the force of a spring, without any electrical control. There's a great sense of achievement in bringing a non-functioning or poorly performing watch back to life and experiencing the joy of seeing it tick once again.

Please tell us your gender and age.: Male, 50s
Why did you decide to learn watch repair?: ・For the purpose of adjusting the accuracy of antique watches I purchased from auctions and other sources.
・I have always enjoyed tinkering with mechanical things such as cars. Considering my hobbies and practical benefits after retirement, learning watch repair and restoration techniques felt very meaningful to me.
What are the points you liked about Mr. Fujimoto's teaching style?: ・I thoroughly enjoyed and felt enriched by the meticulous guidance and gentlemanly demeanor during the teaching sessions.
・The technical explanations covered various important points, examples of mistakes, variations in tools, and insider tips, which were extremely educational for a beginner like myself.
・The theoretical lectures were captivating and made me forget about time as they delved into topics such as the power source of watches,　mechanisms, intricacies, and even the history of mechanical watches.
Please share one thing about the charm of watch repair that you want to convey.: One thing I want to convey is that the time spent repairing, adjusting, or restoring watches is like reclaiming precious moments to my childhood.
A word to those who are considering to learn watch repair: I chose to learn watch repair as a way to combine my hobby with practical benefits (extra income). It's still just a hobby for me yet, and I understand that mastering the technical aspects of watch repair takes time. However, as I age, I find it convenient because I have more time available to dedicate to it.