Rolex donates again to further watchmaking education

The Donald W. Reynolds Technology Center at the Oklahoma State University at Okmulgee is the latest recipient of a Rolex donation to further watchmaking education. The $1 million grant will further development and growth of the watchmaking and microtechnology program and will be distributed over 5 years.

Rolex donated similar grants to North Seattle Community College in Washington in 2000 which it renewed in 2005 and to Saint Paul College in Minnesota in 2004.

In addition, Rolex created its own non-profit organization in Pennsylvania called the Lititz Watch Technicum in 2001. Their foundation has graduated more than 50 watchmakers.

Not satisfied to be confined, Rolex operates watchmaking programs internationally as well with the Tokyo Watch Technicum in Japan and the Rolex Training Centre in Mumbai, India.

Becoming a watchmaking technician and artisan in the U.S., Japan or Mumbai is an interesting path considering that the watchmaking industry was born and continues to thrive in the Swiss Alps. Rolex appears to be leading the pack in furthering the advancement of watchmaking education outside of Switzerland. In a world of growing computer, medical and biological technology, Rolex is working to jump start and even preserve the long standing tradition of watchmaking.