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Four years ago I wrote a course for complete beginners to watchmaking, delivering 120 hours of training over 40 weeks, which I taught at Epping Forest Horology Centre (EFHC) in Essex. I then went on to write a second-year course focusing on servicing automatic and chronograph watch movements, as well as the processes and techniques such as tool making, pallet jewel replacement and setting, balance staff replacement, dynamic and static poising of the balance, burnishing and polishing, bushing, jewelling, hairspring manipulation and using a watchmaker's lathe.

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Four years after writing that first introduction to watchmaking lesson, I decided to create my own place of learning for enthusiastic horologists of all abilities. I now teach the same first and second-year watchmaking courses at Wimbledon Horology Centre, in South London.

These courses are ideal for complete beginners who want to learn how to service their own watches and the second-year course is a linear progression from the first-year course, as well as for the more seasoned enthusiasts.

A well-equipped workshop for up to six students in each class is the ideal setting to learn how to service watches, but also to understand the theoretical aspects of watchmaking, as well as helpful hints and techniques you just won't find on the internet. Through the aid of detailed PowerPoint presentations with plenty of hands-on help and guidance in a small class, students are able to build the confidence and ability to diagnose and alleviate most faults in a watch movement.

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Each motor-driven height adjustable workbench has its own simul focal stereo microscope which is displayed on a projector screen helping see the work properly under high magnification, but also helping the tutor see where the student needs any help and guidance, especially regarding delicate escapement work.

Private one-to-one tuition is also catered for.