Birbla

Discussion summary

Canada's only watchmaking school has been operating for 80 years, maintaining a strong tradition despite AI advancements. Discussions include the impact of AI on skilled trades and the school's historical significance.

What the discussion says

  • AI is replacing some skilled jobs but not watchmaking.
  • The school has a long-standing reputation and history.
  • AI has shifted focus from manual tasks to programming and art.
  • Some commenters are surprised about the school's existence and location.
“This school's still going strong after 80 years.”
— ElenaDaibunny
“AI replaced me writing emails, but not watchmaking.”
— ElenaDaibunny

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  • Hacker News
  • I believe this is exactly the kind of high-paying job that is difficult for AI to replace.
    by LzeYing
  • This is definitely something I've always thought about doing once I retire (if my generation gets to retire).

    Just seems like the ideal way to spend the last period of your life; quietly making the small mechanical pieces and hopefully finally assembling something to be left behind.

    Though I don't imagine I'd ever be able to produce something as small, accurate or intricate as these students are able to.

    by fennecfoxy
  • It's promising and I'm glad to hear such a depth-oriented study of making things, taking time is still a thing in a fast world. People are paying to study this, nice
    by legends2k
  • There is something pleasantly backwards about a school teaching people to repair objects that were designed to last, while so much of the rest of the economy is optimized around replacement
    by MarceliusK
  • As a Canadian cool! Never heard of this school before but on the west coast so probably why.

    I've watched many watch repair videos online and the knowledge base required is huge. Also there are many tools needed which are not cheap. There is just so much to know that takes years to learn. Very cool that the knowledge is being shared and the skill passed on. In my small town there was only one guy who worked on clocks and watches. He passed a while back and his kids continue with his jewelry store but they now send out watches and clocks to another business as none of his kids learned how to do it.

    by 14
  • Antrax lead guitarist Dan Spitz went on to become a watch maker:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Spitz

    by kazinator
  • The 8th highest voted HN submission is on mechanical watches. I imagine that's the type the watchmaking school involves themself with because afaik all high end watches are mechanical.

    https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31261533 4 years ago 413 comments

    They have a certain beauty in their intricate details working together for function. I do really like looking at the glass back which shows some details and you can see the piece that move to gain power.

    Although it seems youd have to pay a lot to get an accurate one because I have a $250 mechanical Seiko and its time keeping is junk. It was mediocre when I got it and has gotten worse. It was $150 when I bought it so I suppose it would have been a good investment if it hadn't got beat up.

    by Cider9986
  • My grandfather was a master watchmaker and jeweler who learned his trade in the Soviet Union and then in Europe. After emigrating to Toronto after the war, he opened his own jewelry store, where he repaired watches and clocks, as well as crafted and repaired fine jewelry.

    He was a true master of his craft and built a successful business based on his exceptional skill. He Was well known for his craftsmanship and his remarkable ability to repair virtually any watch or clock, no matter how complex.

    Jewelers from across the city would bring him pieces that no one else could repair. For antique and vintage timepieces, he would often fabricate tiny replacement parts by hand when originals were no longer available. When he retired, very large companies would still come to his home to repair incredibly expensive pieces. He liked to tinker and would quietly work in his little home shop, pipe burning, radio playing, and visitors coming throughout the day to have him fix things.

    When he passed, he had 10's of 1000's of watch parts in all these little bags that were all tagged and in boxes. We ended up giving them away to one of his customers who own several Jewelry stores. Had I known I would have offered them to this school along with 100's of watches he kept for parts.

    by sleepyguy

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