The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI) is a
not-for-profit trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. An industry trade association partic ...
based in the United States that is dedicated to the advancement of the modern watch industry, from which it receives a significant portion of its funding.
While the AWCI is an American organization, it also has members throughout the world.
AWCI promotes the modern watch industry by providing a range of education, certification, technical assistance and business services. For over 50 years, AWCI has worked with horology schools, individual watchmakers and clockmakers, manufacturers and retailers to advance the art, science and business of horology. The AWCI hosts the largest online repair directory connecting consumers with local repair professionals who are AWCI members, however this does not include all local repair professionals. Horological Times, the official publication of AWCI, is currently the only monthly horological magazine serving the U.S. market (2011). The Institute is supported by numerous local affiliate chapters around the nation. AWCI also offers books and media on timekeeping topics to members and the general public.
Continuing education and
certification in certain areas of
watchmaking
A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since a majority of watches are now factory-made, most modern watchmakers only repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their part ...
and
clock making
A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and/or repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to ...
are offered by AWCI. Several current (as of 2011) watch-related courses provided include: Basic Quartz Watch Repair, Modern Automatic Watches, Balance Staffing and Timing, Polishing and Waterproof Testing, Modern Mechanical Chronograph and more. These courses are conducted at the AWCI Marvin E. Whitney Academy of Watchmaking in Harrison, Ohio. Clockmaker courses can be scheduled by request.
AWCI was organized in 1960 as the American Watchmakers Institute (AWI). This was the nation's first unified horological organization. It combined the members of the United Horological Association of America (UHAA) with those of the Horological Institute of America (HIA) to form AWI. However, with the continual influx of clock-related interest into the organization, a name change was recommended by the Affiliate Chapters in 1992 and was formally changed to the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute.
The American Watchmaker-Clockmakers Institute maintains the ELM CharitableTrust, a 501 (c) (3) trust. The ELM (Education, Library and Museum) Trust operates The
Henry B. Fried Resource Library and The Orville R. Hagans History of Time Museum, which are located at AWCI headquarters in Harrison, Ohio. The ELM Trust also administers annual scholarships to horology students in the U.S. through The Harold J. and Marie Borneman Greenwood Memorial Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
See also
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British Horological Institute
The British Horological Institute (BHI) is the representative body of the horological industry in the United Kingdom. It was founded by a group of clockmakers in 1858, and has its current premises at Upton Hall in Nottinghamshire, which include ...
*
chronometer
A clock or a timepiece is a device used to measure and indicate time. The clock is one of the oldest human inventions, meeting the need to measure intervals of time shorter than the natural units such as the day, the lunar month and th ...
*
clock
A clock or a timepiece is a device used to measure and indicate time. The clock is one of the oldest human inventions, meeting the need to measure intervals of time shorter than the natural units such as the day, the lunar month and t ...
*
clockmaker
A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and/or repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to ...
*
horology
Horology (; related to Latin '; ; , interfix ''-o-'', and suffix ''-logy''), . is the study of the measurement of time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, hourglasses, clepsydras, timers, time recorders, marine chronometers, and atomic clo ...
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watch
A watch is a portable timepiece intended to be carried or worn by a person. It is designed to keep a consistent movement despite the motions caused by the person's activities. A wristwatch is designed to be worn around the wrist, attached b ...
*
watchmaker
A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since a majority of watches are now factory-made, most modern watchmakers only repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their part ...
References
External links
American Watchmakers-Clockmakers InstituteNational Jeweler Network article describing AWCI's efforts to expand programs* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110809134011/http://www.jckonline.com/article/285876-AWCI_Offers_Free_Watch_Service_Training_at_JCK_Las_Vegas.php JCK magazine article describing AWCI's presence at a jewelry industry trade show]
National Jeweler Network article on repair service prices{Dead link, date=October 2018 , bot=InternetArchiveBot , fix-attempted=yes
Describes recent litigation to compel certain watch manufacturers/brands to offer unrestricted access to spare parts for independent watchmakers and watch owners
Trade associations based in the United States
Horological organizations