Watch/Clock assosiations

[fillipj]

Can someone explain to me the benefits of becoming a member of a watch/clock makers association? Specifically I’m thinking of the NAWCC and AWCI, but I’m sure there are more. Like everyone else I have limited funds and am trying to spend my pennies to get the most bang for the buck, and have definitely missed the mark at times. Just wondering if these are a good investment for someone just starting out. Thanks all!

-Fillip

[chris mabbott]

Fillip,

To begin with, you can join both of those clubs for free, no payment required, and with being a none paying member, like many are, you can still enjoy the wealth of information available.

If you do join, which is, I think, around $72 per year, you also receive printed publications via mail. These publications, I believe, are also available to read online WITHOUT being a paid member.

A paid subscription also give you a membership number.. It also funds the website, which helps the owners to maintain it etc..

Many of the people on the sites, myself included, are none paying, or registered users.. Occasionally I will donate $20 for the monthly drive, but I don’t use the sites that often, which is the reason..

[bernie weishapl]

I belong to the NAWCC and think it is well worth it. I use their library a lot for info and they have a forum with lots of good info. I will not belong to the AWCI as they have pretty much sold the watchmakers down the river as far as spare parts go. In a court suit they sided with the manufacturer and now parts are restricted to watchmakers. There is not much there for clockmakers so to me the high price of their dues in not worth it. So I dropped them after about 25 yrs being a member. I just felt they let us down.

[fillipj]

Excellent info as always. I tried to become a “donor member” and that’s the only one that’s error out, go figure LOL. I’ll keep trying. I was also looking across the pond at the BHI (British Horological Institute). They have a long distance learning course I was looking into as well. Anyone know anything about these guys?

[bernie weishapl]

I belonged for many years but I decided to drop it because trying to slow down on my clock work and being on a fixed income. I do like what they have to offer and they have lots of info. I used to belong to 7 org’s but have dropped that down to 3. NAWCC, American Association of Woodturners, and ARRL (Ham Radio). If I were starting out again I would belong to BHI and NAWCC.

[stevefitzwater]

Good info, thanks for sharing!

[arutha]

Having been a member of the BHI I do wonder how much value there is in being a member now. They are more watch than clock orientated I feel and the only real value of the yearly subscription (which is around £110 per year), is the monthly BHI Journal magazine which does contain some fantastic articles but as they work out to almost £10 per copy I am not sure if it would be fair to say you get value for money. They do have a forum but it is so out of date and horrible to use it doesn’t get many visitors. The distance learning course has been brought up to date since I began but you do have to sit exams with them to gain the qualifications.
2 cents added
Paul.

[namonllor1953]

Like Bernie, I’m a member of the NAWCC also.
I use their library and their forums as they’re just full of all sorts of useful information.
I also get to attend the local chapter meetings which are great for asking questions face to face and learn about tools and stuff. Also they always are selling tools at pretty good prices.
Hope this helps…

[david pierce]

I used to belong to the NAWCC but was disillusioned. The format of the chapters probably varies in different locations but the one in my area (Stone Mountain, Ga.) was not what I was looking for. The meetings would always start with some lady (chapter president) in her mid 60s reminding all of the members that it was our civic duty to donate money to the NAWCC national. After listening to this for an hour the next guy would get up and talk about US tax codes for another hour. Next there would be an auction for what seemed to be the next 1 1/2 hours auctioning off stuff that looked like it was pulled out of garbage cans on the way to the meeting. For example, a Felix Cat kitchen clock with the tail wagging and the eyes rolling back an forth. The bidding would start at .25 cents and after 20 minutes would sell for $1.98. Everybody in the room seemed to be having a great time except me. I am in my late 60s and when I looked around the room everybody looked old enough to be my grandparents. I kept wondering when there would be discussions about watches and clocks but I was obviously out of sync with the rest of the room. I attended three meetings and felt that I finally had enough.
david

[charlie188]

I was not aware of the free membership. I was a full member and will return. Full membership gives you a very interesting monthly monthly magazine and full access to their library as well as answers to any questions. Well worth the money. haven’t been to a meeting hope it’s not as boring in our area.

[stevefitzwater]

have not joined any as of yet, I started the NAWCC, but stopped and have been unable to finish it now.. I will be joining soon, I am interested in the BHI one thou…

[bamadadof3]

I joined NAWCC and have really enjoyed the info there. I started with a 4 month trial if I remember correctly. Some parts of the site are only available to paying members from what I learned and it seemed those parts are what I needed. I’m basically in to pocket watches right now and have found their library of parts information a must have. I have not been to a local chapter meeting in my area yet but will try one soon.

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