Patek Philippe divides its training program into four levels – 1-3, which start with basic skills (including how to change the battery in a quartz watch, which requires more care to do consistently and safely than you might think) and gradually introduces the skills necessary to service hand-wound and automatic watches; at higher levels, complications are introduced. The fourth level – "Advanced" – is where you learn to work on things like rattrapante chronographs and chiming complications; for now, the Shanghai and US programs will bring students up to Level 2. Pettinelli says, "We are extremely excited about the opportunity to develop trained watchmakers here in the U.S. It addresses the fundamental difficulty the entire watchmaking industry has (in) finding highly trained, qualified technicians to preserve complex mechanical timepieces."

The Patek Philippe Horology Program of New York is a two year program; there is no tuition and students are paid a small stipend. The program is not currently enrolling new students, however Patek Philippe will begin reviewing new applicants in about a years' time. For more information, call Patek Philippe USA at 212-218-1240.

Read a brief synopsis of Patek Philippe's training center here – and then find out what Ben thought were five cool things at Patek's manufactory in Geneva.