Watchmaking still seen by some as timeless art form, even in the digital age
Even now, in the age of digital clocks, watchmaking is seen by some as a timeless art form, one that continues to inspire future generations of watchmakers.
One of those aspiring watchmakers still fascinated by the profession is Brian Choi.
“You can tell somebody has put in so much work just to have that one piece do its exact job perfectly,” said Choi.
In watchmaking, it's all about precision, “and when every piece – when hundreds of pieces come together – there is a certain beauty in that precision,” said Choi.
Choi says to him and many others it's an art form – one he has been learning on his own for the past two years.
“Everything that I’ve learned I’ve learned mostly on YouTube,” said Choi.
“I like to take it apart and you learn all the intricate components that make up a system, and once you understand that, it sort of becomes clear how it all works.”
He’s been using a 3D printer to manufacture and design his own parts to play around with different mechanisms.
"Once I have something physical in front of me that I’m trying to interact with it makes sense a lot quicker."
His passion for watches right now is just a hobby but he is about to make it a career.
“I feel like this is what I was always been meant to be doing,” said Choi.
Out of 80 applicants from around the world, Choi is one of eight successful candidates chosen every two years to attend the prestigious WOSTEP international watch school in Switzerland.
“It runs for the course of two years, so 3,000 hours of just watchmaking.” Said Choi.
When telling time is as simple as looking at your cellphone some might think this career path is outdated but on the contrary, Choi says it's timeless.
“As a watchmaker today you’re making your own path your own style and mixing the traditional with the modern,” said Choi, from crafting every detail on the outside of a watch to how it actually functions.
Choi has big aspirations to make his mark in the world of watchmaking.
“My ultimate goal is to leave behind something that is timeless a piece of my creation that someone can look perhaps even long after I’m gone and it can portray the kind of person I am hopefully,” said Choi.
He also wants to eventually teach to ensure watchmaking continues to exist well into the future.
“It’s kind of up to us the current watchmakers to fuel the passion and get more people interested,” said Choi.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
Oilers' Henrique, Stars' Hintz out for Game 1 of West final
Top-line Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz will still be out of the lineup for the Western Conference Final opener Thursday night against Edmonton, which is still without forward Adam Henrique.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
Calgary Philharmonic takes action following investigation into 'deeply troubling' comments by 2 musicians
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.