Ernest Tope CMW21

It occurs to me as I am writing this that I have received a lot of encouragement throughout the years from liars. They would helpfully say, "There is nothing to it.", "Oh that's easy.", "Don't worry you'll get it right next time.". I can truly say that if it were not for these encouraging liars I would never have become a watchmaker. Had I really known what was involved I would have quit before I started. Yet, like a great journey, step by step, it has been a rewarding experience.

When I was born, I couldn’t have chosen better parents. I traversed childhood in Tampa, Florida and graduated who’s who in ROTC from Hillsborough High School. Infatuated with airplanes, I studied aero/astro engineering at OSU. The draft lottery kept me from the war and a military career. I have been a professional fire-fighter and a cabinet maker before learning the watchmaking trade. My life mission is “to experience the joy of becoming the highest vision of myself possible and help others to do the same thing”. I very nearly died in August of 2003 while in Tampa General Hospital recovering from a very serious motorcycle crash. All of this, and much help from many wonderful people, have brought me a spiritual perspective I thoroughly enjoy today.

Since 1982, I have been restoring watches. A fellow watchmaker suggested that if I learned to repair watches I could have a rewarding career. I have always been interested in mechanical things. Often, as a child, (to my parent's consternation) I dismantled my toys to see what made them work. After acquiring a pair of tweezers and some tiny screw drivers I began "working" on the family's discarded watches. It was apparent right away that it was not going to be easy.

I get a significant number of questions about how I became a watchmaker and where I learned how to do what I do. Most people are sincerely interested; some are just making friendly conversation. Some of them, I know, are trying to decide if they can trust me with their watch. Regardless, I am supplying the information. If you want to skip this part you can jump to the "Restorations I Have Done" page.
Having studied science and engineering in college, I found it relatively easy to comprehend the various books on the subject of watch repair. These were available first from the public library, then through loans and purchases.

Although my formal training is in science and engineering, I learned the skill of Watchmaking from many of the worlds most respected watchmakers. After joining the American Watchmakers Institute in 1984, as well as my local guild and state association, my contacts began to grow. There are many wonderful people who have shared their knowledge with me during the years. This knowledge goes beyond Watchmaking itself and into the area of my personal growth. I owe these people a sincere debt of gratitude.
One of the most rewarding experiences I have had was meeting the late Henry B. Fried, the author of "The Watch Repairers Manual". That was the very first book I checked out of the library and to this day one of the best. He asked, "So, who taught you Watchmaking?” I replied, "You did.” he said, "I don't remember you. Were you one of my students?" (Referring to The New York School of Horology where he instructed.) "Not exactly" I answered, "You write. I read.” He grinned and the conversation went on to other subjects.
For approximately 12 years, I worked in a jewelry store. The first 6 years were spent learning and doing watch repair, complicated watch repair and jewelry repair. The second six years were spent doing watch repair  for an authorized Rolex® dealership. During that time I repaired thousands of Rolex watches as well as Patek Philippe, Vacheron, Audemars, Piaget, and many, many others.

About 20 years ago I joined the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Through my contacts in this organization, and in particular Dr. Ted Crom, I began working on unusual watches. These watches often required that certain parts be custom made in order to repair the watch. I had found my niche. There is little, more satisfying, than restoring life to a mechanical marvel of the past.
I received the original Certified Master Watchmaker Certification April 15, 1991
My certification was upgraded Nov. 2, 2006 to the new 21st Century Standard after completion of testing in compliance with the Official Standards and Practices for the Preparation, Education, and Certification of Twenty First Century Watchmakers in Harrison, Ohio. This is the most advanced certification available in this country. You can be certain that anyone who has earned the Twenty First Century CMW title has been thoroughly tested in the skills of watch repair. Take a look at some of the "Restorations I have Done".