Gem City College

03/13/2026

02/26/2026

It has been too long since I have posted anything. I thought I would give you a couple of updates.

First, last June I posted the likely need of hiring a new instructor. That is still the case here. We in the watch & clock section have since July seen between 15 and 18 students. Despite posting this need here and on LinkedIn, and having American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute's Horological Times publish our need, we have received no applicants. If you know anyone interested in education, please direct them toward us.

Secondly, April 18th will be our annual gathering or swap meat. This is a great time to come back for a visit to our alumni and see the changes we've made recently. To everyone this is a good time to come and do a bit of buy-sell-trade in watches, clocks and tools. Look for the formal announcement come the middle of March.

11/13/2025

Our view soon to be shared.

10/31/2025

Similar to the screw head polisher for the watchmakers, we've introduced the cam puller for the clockmakers. Recently, I've been disappointed in the quality of the cam puller we have been purchasing for students, so I found the plans for this in the old Elgin School of Watchmaking Curriculum.

Like the screw head polisher, this introduces threading, both internal and external, to students. Students use this for removing the gathering pallet of rack and snail style striking clocks.

10/10/2025

Congratulations to student Michelle Wester who was awarded a $2000 scholarship from the Harold J. and Marie Borneman Greenwood Memorial Fund, distributed by the ELM Trust of AWCI. Michelle started the watchmaking program at school in June.

09/03/2025

We've just come back from the Labor Day Break. While the students were away, we had the watchmaking corner of the classroom epoxy resin coated. The old tile and age made it difficult to find parts which were dropped. We're grateful for the donors who covered the cost (part by the grant from Horological Society of New York and part by another individual). Special thanks to the students who helped with moving the benches away and back onto the new surface, and to Ryan Hudson of Rock Solid Epoxy Floors who did the real work. So far, only one part has been lost and easily found, flung over by a clockmaker.

In other news, earlier this summer we took away the temporary wall and opened up the classroom. Now the clock students and watch students have their own corner of the classroom. It is my hope to coat the floor of the whole classroom section by section. Clockmakers are next.

07/28/2025

Please help us in wishing our Jewelry Instructor Johnny Jeweler all the best in retirement. Thursday, July 31st, will be his last day with us at the school. Best wishes and good luck with the next chapter John, it’s been a pleasure having you as part of our family all these years!

06/23/2025

It's looking likely that this fall, school attendance will necessitate the hiring of a new (second) instructor. The ideal candidate would know both watch repair and clock repair. However, because we have more watchmaking students and because clock repair is a shorter course, a person who is just a watchmaker would also be a preferred candidate.

I already have several former clock students who would consider the position. While this is a possibility, the clock student attendance is more variable and the position is less stable long term.

While we aren't desperate yet, I am busy. If you have any interest in a position as an educator, please contact Ryan, [email protected] or 217-222-0391

06/05/2025

In 2025 we have begun testing our revised curriculum. A new project added is the screw head polishing tool (or bolt tool). This introduces threading to a student before they begin making a stem. This also requires precise and smooth filing.

While the intent of the tool is screw head polishing, what this is used for the most in class is holding hairspring studs securely as we re-pin the hairspring to them. Every student will use this tool in their colleting and studding exercise.

05/27/2025

We're always pleased when one of our past students are spotlighted by their local media. Chris Crothers from Springfield Illinois has been coming to school and doing continuing education. He wants to make a clock, so we have been going through gear cutting; replicating an existing weight driven clock. We appreciate the shout out the media gave our school.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - On East Washington Street in downtown Springfield is one of the few remaining places where you can find the art of clock repair. Christopher Crothers, the

04/17/2025

Once again, we are pleased to announce that we have received $6250 in grant money from the Horological Society of New York. HSNY offers grants and scholarships annually and we are grateful for the gift which we use to continue to build our classroom.

Also, we congratulate student Katelynn Smith for being awarded the Grace Fryer Scholarship, again from HSNY. This is the first time a student of GCC has been awarded one of HSNY's many scholarships.

As an additional note, if anyone wishes to donate toward financially aiding a student going to school, or other horological institute there are many options available. There are options such as ACWI's ELM Trust (Education, Library & Museum). Again, I believe donations can be earmarked for a specific use. Also, the gracious HSNY offers 9 different grants/scholarships annually. I'm confident they would receive any donations you would offer. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about assisting students with furthering their education in the Horology Industry.

The horological industry is currently experiencing an essential ‘women in watches movement’, where female voices are being amplified and strengthened, but HSNY would be remiss if it didn’t mention women from America’s dark, yet radioactive past.