Just like a fine watch itself, there are many lovely details in this NY Times article on watchmakers. One percent of new watches are mechanical, thanks to the proliferation of quartz movements. There are five watchmaking schools in the U.S. (New Jersey, Oklahoma, Seattle, Pennsylvania and Minnesota) that have been set up by the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Education Program. In the first six months of training students learn Micromechanics, shaping metals with precision tools. They then get to work on actual watches in the next phase of training and eventually switch from blue shop coats to white as they move on to learn the intricacies of watch assembly. “Screws can be as small as particles of dust.” Watch connoisseurs and status seekers are keeping this unique discipline alive.