Fairwell Switzerland

Well all good things must come to an end to make way for more good things. As my time at WOSTEP was up there were a few spare days prior to my departure from Switzerland left for a little bit of adventure. I have made some very special friends during my time in Champreveyres and I thank each and everyone for the very special experience we created together, and as not previously mentioned thank you to the ladies that helped me get ready for graduation and generously loaned me all my fantastic getup, where would I be without you.

So in the few days waiting for results life was a bit calmer and we managed to get down to the lake for a bit of swimming before dinner and the odd brush with nature walking throught the bush and meadows, places that should have been discovered much sooner. And once graduation was over and done with we managed to venture a little further afield. Anna (from Iceland, partner of Robie from school) organised for John and I and Robbie's brother and girlfriend to catch the train and go a do a wonderful walk at Crux du van, which just has some amazing views and scenery. Unfortunately the day we were up there the alps were completely obscured by cloud except for a couple of the very highest tips. Not to worry as the rest of the scenery and of course the company was well worth the trip.

No farewell would be complete without a visit to our favourite bar and pizzaria so John and I headed to Tony's Bar for one last pizza and beer. Then on to Cafe Du Cerf where some other very good watchmaking friends and fellow housemates from Champrevyres joined us for the last horray!! And no tears even from me, what an achievement. I then got a leaving parade at the train station the following day where a group joined me to say goodbye, I am so priveledged to have met these people and had there support during my time in Switzerland an experience to be remembered.

Graduation

Well my adventure here in Switzerland at WOSTEP is drawing to a close. Two weeks ago we had three days taken up by the final exams. Two and a half hours of theory followed by 16 hours of practical. The practical pieces were a Lemania chronograph which had many faults from the chronograph eccentrics, bent wheels, incorrect end shakes to the centring and flatness of the hairspring etc. Then there was an Omega automatic and an ETA quartz which just needed a basic clean with correct lubrication and timing. There were of course a few dramas on the day but we all made it through and stopped at the pub on the Friday for a well deserved beer, or two, or three . . .

During the following week the professionals from inside the industry came to the school to mark our pieces so of course they needed to kick us out. We spent three days visiting various factories. Monday we visited Chopard, it was a very hot day with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees with not a lot of wind. They have in recent years set up a small museum also inside the factory so it was a lovely morning spent touring the factory. Tuesday we ventured a little further from Neuchatel and had the very pleasurable experience of seeing inside Patek Philippe. This day started at the truly amazing museum, unfortunately two hours is not long enough to really absorb everything. Then onto the factory for a wonderful three course lunch with some of the management before the tour began. At the end we were seated before eleven complicated watches valued at over five million swiss francs. Wednesday was another busy day, the morning started with a tour of the Omega factory, which unfortunately ran over time so we missed out on their museum. Then onto lunch with A.Betti before an extremely interesting tour of two of the many ETA factory buildings.

With the factory tours over and done with we had Thursday to clean the school from top to toe; the fridge had some very interesting specimens growing inside. The motivator for these tasks was getting our results when we finished. At 1630 both the refresher and the two year course gathered in the theory room and awaited our verdicts. There was a very close call but overall the school was very proud to announce everyone passed included the student from last year doing his reset. So once again back to the pub for a couple of beers.

Friday was taken up by sleeping in (no scheduled program) and then preparing for graduation. The ceremony took place at the Château of Neuchatel which is a beautiful old castle where we received our diplomas before moving onto a five star hotel on the lake side to enjoy a wonderful three course meal. After the formal event the partying continued at the local watchmaking drinking hole Cafe du Cerf till the wee hours.



My time here in Switzerland has been a truly wonderful experience not only have I expanded my ability as a watchmaker but I have also had an intense period of personal development. I have not always been happy with the way I handled the pressure but I am now out the other side and can’t wait to experience the industry again and really measure how much I have learnt.