Author: Lukas Weiss

What makes watchmaking so fascinating for me is the combination of a very traditional craft with state-of-the-art technologies. Even today, we are using mechanisms that are centuries old, but manufactured with high-precision production systems. Mechanical timepieces still work on the same basic principle as they did hundreds of years ago. At the same time, quartz watches were developed that measure time more precisely than ever before.

Apart from that, the subject matter of time and time measurement is just a fascinating topic – from the first attempts of measuring time with element clocks all the way to high-precision atomic clocks. Moreover, my fascination with this craft has to do with the precise work, love of detail and the technical interactions in mechanical timepieces.

The advantages of a watchmaker’s apprenticeship at Wempe compared to other watch manufacturers are above all the diverse fields of activities and growth opportunities that are available after the apprenticeship.
As a watchmaker at Wempe, you have three basic options:

1. You can work as a watchmaker in the production of our own two watch lines Wempe Zeitmeister and Wempe Chronometerwerke, which are made in our observatory in Glashütte.
2. Then there is the option of becoming a service watchmaker in Europe’s largest independent watch workshop, our workshops in Glashütte and Hamburg. This is where we repair the majority of the watches that are brought to our showrooms for servicing. That translates to a high number of different watch brands and thus very varied and multifaceted work.
3. The job of service watchmaker in the service department of one of our many showrooms around the world.

Another advantage of apprenticing at Wempe is that we trainees are introduced to these departments through internships, so we can find out for ourselves which kind of work suits us best. We can then be prepared for the position we strive to take on after completing our apprenticeship.

We gain this practical experience in supervised internships in the service workshops and production, and in showroom assignments, where we can gather experience with the daily work in watch service at a particular store.

Personal and individual support throughout our apprenticeship provides us with the perfect framework for a successful apprenticeship as a watchmaker.

An assignment at one of the Wempe stores is always a special time for us watchmaker’s apprentices. From the quaint town of Glashütte, we set out to a large German metropolitan city. In my case, it was a three-week assignment to our store in Nuremberg. It was my first time working in one of our Wempe stores. Every store has its very own charm. Nuremberg, I was told before I left, is a rather small store with a very familial and cordial team.

Before my start in Nuremberg, the instructor in our training centre prepared me for a number of responsibilities. She introduced me to the service department’s computer system, we studied important details about the individual watch brands, how to receive repair orders, and practised some typical customer support scenarios. Thanks to this preparation, I was off to a good start with an experienced master watchmaker at my side and was able to competently advise our sophisticated customers on all service questions.

What was my first workday in a new store like? I would call it exciting, fascinating and full of new and positive impressions. On the first day, I familiarised myself with the team and the store, in particular the watch service department. After an introductory talk, we delved right into the practical side. I advised my first customers and made some small repairs. Thanks to the openness of my colleagues, I was integrated into the team quickly and without any problems.


During my three weeks there, I carried out a lot of repairs on a wide range of watches. To name a few: replacing and shortening bracelets, repairing clasps and cases, regulating a variety of mechanical movements, refurbishing bracelets and cases and making partial repairs, such as replacing a watch-glass. Moreover, I had a chance to advise our customers on the repair of their defective watch and send the watch to Hamburg to our central workshop. A new and exciting element for me was to experience and actually participate in the interaction and communication with our watch workshop, the manufacturers and suppliers.
I especially enjoyed the direct and lively customer contact and assisting customers with buying leather straps.
After three exciting weeks and a warm farewell from the store team, I returned to the training centre in Glashütte. My time in Nuremberg definitely affirmed me in my choice of watchmaking service as a fulfilling future career.