Veterans

Eight veterans, one new trade: a watchmaking class graduates Friday

The Quartz Tech class of eight will be honored at a luncheon Friday, Nov. 13, in Odessa. The school trains veterans to repair watches at no cost to them.

By C.L. Rosslyn, Editor in Chief · Nov. 10, 2026

Students in blue lab coats stand together in a hallway at the watchmaking school — The current Quartz Tech class at the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative in Odessa. Photo: Veterans Watchmaker Initiative

Eight veterans graduate Friday, Nov. 13, from the Quartz Tech class at the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, the Odessa school that teaches veterans to repair watches, VWI chairman Sam Cannan told The Sussex Ledger by email.

A graduation luncheon is planned that day in Odessa, Cannan said. VWI hadn't set the time when we published, and VWI's website does not list the graduation. We'll add the time to this page when the school sets it.

A bearded man wearing a loupe works on a watch at a bench — A student works on a watch at the school's bench. Photo: Veterans Watchmaker Initiative

Odessa is in New Castle County, not Sussex. We're covering the class because VWI is a Delaware school built for veterans.

The Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, Odessa: 8 veterans in the Quartz Tech class; Nov. 13, graduation day, a Friday; a luncheon in Odessa, time not yet set. — The class, the day and the place. VWI hadn't set the luncheon time when we published. Illustration: The Sussex Ledger

The school

"The focus of our program is to teach our war veterans, especially disabled veterans, the highly skilled art of watchmaking," VWI says on its website. "All our programs are free of charge to the veteran."

The school, called the Odessa Center for Horological Excellence, sits at 307 Sixth St. in Odessa.

What students learn

VWI's website describes two programs, a Watch Technician Program built around quartz watches and a longer Watchmaker Program. Each program page lists its own length and what graduates learn.

For veterans interested in the trade

VWI's office takes calls at 302-378-7088, according to its website.

Help is available

If you're a veteran in crisis, or worried about one, dial 988, then press 1, text 838255 or chat through the Veterans Crisis Line. It's free, confidential and open 24/7.