Maryland Watch Works (MWW) celebrated its grand opening this weekend as hundreds of watch connoisseurs traveled to Hagerstown for the Wine, Whiskey, and Watches event. Held in the Potomac Walk between Bulls and Bears and Meinelschmidt Distillery, watchmakers from all over the world gathered to buy, sell, and display their products.

MWW co-founders Pierre (Pete) Brown and Eugene Stohlman organized this event and also celebrated the grand opening of their storefront located at 14 N Potomac Street, Suite B3, Hagerstown, MD. Washington County is proud to have timepiece and microbrand specialists as a local business. MWW is also proud to introduce its first watch technician apprentice, I’Kareem Buchanan.

MWW received approval from the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council in May 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, operations at MWW were significantly impacted and there was a delay in getting an apprentice in person. On July 1, 2021, Euguene and Pete officially signed I’Kareem as their first apprentice. The apprenticeship program is two years to become a watch technician and three years to become a master watch technician. With support from the Western Maryland Consortium, assistance for professional development and skills courses will be available for I’Kareem, along with his day-to-day learning from Eugene.

A few factors make this apprenticeship extra significant:

• This apprenticeship is the first state-approved apprenticeship program for watchmaking in the United States since 1969.

• I’Kareem was homeless prior to this apprenticeship. Due to a series of misfortunate events, I’Kareem did not have a job or a place to call home. After disassembling and reassembling a movement at MWW, Eugene and Pete hired him on as their first apprentice. They worked closely with Horizon Goodwill Industries to find housing and accommodations for I’Kareem. Not only is he on his way to becoming a watch technician, but his hope has also been restored. When asked what this apprenticeship means to him, I’Kareem said, “At first I didn’t have a goal, but now I want to master the abilities to make a watch so I can make a pocket watch. My goal is to create my own timepiece to leave my own legacy.

MWW is working to bring watchmaking back to America, a field currently dominated by Switzerland, China, and Japan. MWW specializes in watch repair services, microbrand partnerships, luxury pre-owned and vintage timepieces, and has movements available for purchase. They are currently trying to manufacture an American Made automatic watch movement that meets the “Made in USA” Standard, something that hasn’t been accomplished since the Hamilton Watch Company closed its factory doors in Lancaster, PA in 1969.  

Susan Grimes, Washington County Government Director of Business Development said, “It really is a special and unique trade that is remarkable to see from the intricate movements, through creation of an exclusive timepiece, and it’s all done here in Washington County. The collaboration among community partners to pave the way for I’Kareem into the industry, as an apprentice through the State of Maryland, is equally as special as the watches he is learning to produce. We are so proud of Maryland Watch Works, and honored to have their remarkable trade in our community.”

To learn more about MWW, visit their website at https://www.marylandwatchworks.com/, call 240-850-2855, or email [email protected].

Article written by: Brittany Arizmendi – Public Relations Coordinator for Washington County Government