Posted on Sep 15, 2025
(41M) Been thinking about applying for one or both of the watch making schools in Dallas TX. I'm currently in Sales, but it's high stress, and I just don't enjoy it. Would love to pursue watch making, but I'm worried about the job outlook. Is it hard to find a job after earning certification?
I'm thinking about building some Seiko mods just to get some hands-on experience, and see if I like it as a hobby. It would be a bit of a hardship to move to Texas and spend 18 months on limited income at my age and with a family. I think we could pull it off if my wife can get a transfer at her job.
I think watch making would be exciting and I'd enjoy it more. Just wanted to hear folks’ advice and thoughts about the job market and watch making as a career before making any rash decisions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
First of all, age is not a problem — it's never too late to start. The conservative approach is to keep your current job for now, since we all need to make a living, and it's hard to fully focus on watchmaking without any income. Watchmaking requires great patience and attention to detail. I suggest you start by learning about the watchmaking industry in your spare time, find your direction, and then pursue it as your profession. It's not just a means of living, but a way to realize your dream and follow your passion.
I'm Leo Ho, a custom watchmaker — let's have a chat.