Summer Internships at Watch Companies?

[Dutchy]

Hey guys!!!

So everyone at uni has been busy looking/applying for summer internships at banks, etc. and I would absolutely love a summer internship (in London if possible!!) with a watch company, however....how do I go about this??

Breitling, Omega, Rolex, etc.....I've looked everywhere with no real success yet.

The only thing I found was the Swatch Group, and I emailed them right away.

I'm really interested in a Marketing/Advertising internship for my first year summer (find out how they go about their brand, attracting customers, keeping loyal ones, etc). I think it would be a fantastic experience and gets me into 'real world working' mode.

Any ideas? Suggestions??

Thanks guys, hope all is well with you!!

[offshore]

Dutch,

Good idea...why not just mail out a form letter to start... (not a bloody email)... with a bit of self promotion and presentation?

And don't even think about mentioning the dreaded word....R... E... P!

Offshore

[Dutchy]

Dutch,

Good idea...why not just mail out a form letter to start... (not a bloody email)... with a bit of self promotion and presentation?

And don't even think about mentioning the dreaded word....R... E... P!

Offshore

I'd love to Off, but I can't find the address and they don't have a phone number. Letters and emails are always slower....I just want to know if its even offered to first years (or undergraduates in general) before I start taking the time to include a cover letter and CV.

Thanks for your reply.

[freddy333]

I'm really interested in a Marketing/Advertising internship for my first year summer (find out how they go about their brand, attracting customers, keeping loyal ones, etc). I think it would be a fantastic experience and gets me into 'real world working' mode.

Why not just visit your local AD. They should have a contact name and telephone number. And I am with Offshore....I would not use email to initiate your contact with them. Employment enquiries, even for temporary work, carry more weight if made by telephone or post.

[Dutchy]

Why not just visit your local AD. They should have a contact name and telephone number. And I am with Offshore....I would not use email to initiate your contact with them. Employment enquiries, even for temporary work, carry more weight if made by telephone or post.

Thanks freddy. Well I emailed them to ASK for a phone number and show my interest (as to....why I want their phone number). I can't do more at the time....and theres no local Rolex/Breitling AD that I know of in York.....though I'll try and look again......there has to be one!!

[Victoria]

Wow, Dutchy! It seems you're already thinking of summer, and hopefully this means you've settled down a bit since Uni started.

I'm with the other gentlemen -- no emails or telephones. Let me think...YOU COULD TRY the aggressive route and connect with them on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Rolex Officers:

[EDIT - search Google]

Richemont Officers:

[EDIT - search Google]

(If they are there. Hey, a similar approach worked for me in international banking...)

Or you could take a day trip down to London, and browse around the various branches. Go well dressed, with a CV just in case.

In my University (my God 2nd mention of the day), there used to be headhunters who would come to ask for potential internists, so make sure a tutor of confidence or foreign student liaison knows your interest in watches.

Good luck!

EDIT: Oops! So right. Sorry about that, Cornerstone.

Edited November 15, 2007 by vbarrett
Don't really want to be in top 10 of Google for their personal names

[Rolexman]

Hey Floris... hate to say it but forget it. Been there done that. It's a really closed community. I too tied the Swatch Group in Maastricht and Breitling (Badhoevedorp). Without Succes .

Maybe it's different in London though?

Edited November 14, 2007 by Rolexman

[georgegrasser]

When one gets a job as an intern, one runs the risk of getting belittled. I remember one day my boss introduced a man as "just an intern".

Intern is a word used so that you will not be paid.

In such a case one can only make his own mark. I urge you to become a master spy. Take alot of pic's in sensative watch developement areas and be sure to sell them to the competition for outrageous amonts of money.

I would be so proud if you brought down a company such as Hublot or Cartier. Let me know how everything works out. I hope to see you on CNN.

Best,

George

Edited November 14, 2007 by georgegrasser

[Viennawatch]

I've also tried this, plus I believe since most of the watch companies will be station in Switzerland, you'll also need to speak one of the three national languages. I've also tried with the Swatch Group and Panerai. No success. They even called me and acted interested and asked me lots of questions, but then at the end however, they said they couldn't offer me anything as there is nothing available... Sigh...

[NotASolder]

@Dutchy,

What you want sounds kind of hard and from the responses I've read, others before you have failed.

Just give up.

Or. If you really want it, do all above, be sure to talk to your councelor, dept. teachers, dept. head, janitor, anyone that will listen about your plan.

You could be pleasantly surprised when someone answers 'now that you mention it...'.

PS,

If you are in marketing, there's bound to be a 'local' marketing arm or local (UK) marketing firm that can get you in the door. You don't necesarily have to work inside LVMH, Richemont to be 'in' the industry .

Edited November 14, 2007 by NotASolder

[offshore]

Hey Dutch,

Thought I would do some legwork for you.

Went to a couple of manufacturers sites, and searched for distribution locations..London.

Came up with

Tag Heur

United Kingdom

LVMH Watch & Jewellery (UK) Ltd

2nd Floor

13 Crescent Place

London SW3 2EA

Phone 020 7371 6166

Fax 020 7565 6400

Rolex UK

19 St James Square

London SWIY43E

UK

Omega proved a bit more challenging, so I thought ..stuff it! and googled London White Pages-> search by business type-> "watch manufacturer"-> got this.

http://www.thephonebook.bt.com/publisha.co...p;x=31&y=10

That may be the answer you want.

See, it's not hard to find something on the net, if you really want it! And I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket by just contacting Swatch/Richemont, contact each of the brand distributors, and Swatch!

And BTW, whilst my learned colleagues above, may have valid concerns as to the likelihood of obtaining an internship, I say go for it, if you REALLY want it, put out the vibes, and it will be yours.

Some thoughts for you.

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't. ~Henry Ward Beecher

When the world says, "Give up,"

Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

~Author Unknown

Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves. ~Dale Carnegie

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain. ~Author Unknown

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. ~Josh Billings

Fall seven times, stand up eight. ~Japanese Proverb

The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground. ~Author Unknown

So there ya go Dutch ( Geeze I wax lyrical at 4.30am! )

Offshore

[stilty]

exactly! if you really want something, then go get it. there is really nothing holding you back but yourself. I don't care what anyone says, if you really want it, and truly believe deep down that you can get it, then go for it.

Positive thinking may not always work, but negative thinking always does!

[Dutchy]

WOW!! Great stuff! And yes, even you lot who say it's really difficult...good to hear! That means if I fail at it I'm not the only one, but if I get it, I may be one of the few!!

Anyway, V and Off, thank you very much for the info and the great quotes!!

And to everyone else who said it wasn't possible/likely, difficult, impossible or even possible, I thank you all!!

I will do my best, I only just came across the real desire of doing it this weekend so I haven't investigated TOO much but knew you guys had some info/ideas/experience!! I already received an email back from Swatch Group with a mailing address and phone number....exactly what I was hoping of getting.

I'm a 1st year uni student, if it doesnt work now, I'll try next year and again afterwards (if interest persists of course!!)

Thanks to all!!

[Raijor]

Hey guys!!!

So everyone at uni has been busy looking/applying for summer internships at banks, etc. and I would absolutely love a summer internship (in London if possible!!) with a watch company, however....how do I go about this??

Breitling, Omega, Rolex, etc.....I've looked everywhere with no real success yet.

The only thing I found was the Swatch Group, and I emailed them right away.

I'm really interested in a Marketing/Advertising internship for my first year summer (find out how they go about their brand, attracting customers, keeping loyal ones, etc). I think it would be a fantastic experience and gets me into 'real world working' mode.

Any ideas? Suggestions??

Thanks guys, hope all is well with you!!

Here is a link to watchuseek links page of watch manufacture websites. The companies will have contact info for email and also addresses for regular mail correspondence.

watchUseek manufacture links

Good luck.

[Dutchy]

Here is a link to watchuseek links page of watch manufacture websites. The companies will have contact info for email and also addresses for regular mail correspondence.

watchUseek manufacture links

Good luck.

Thanks man!!!

This means a lot!

[Logan]

Many years ago (late 80's) I spent a few days helping out at the Rolex service centre here, I could cry when I remember the stuff that went in the bin back then.. dials that would be worth thousands now amongst other things. Sadly I wasn't allowed to take anything home.

I spent most of the time sorting tiny envelopes of parts, mostly not even Rolex parts at that.. but it was fun anyway, and I got to watch the Rolex guys working.

I got the "job" after visiting the service centre when I did a school project on the popularity of watches amongst the 80's yuppies (wow its while since I've used that word) back before the stock markets all crashed.

[ratchpot]

Have you tried your Uni's careers service to see if they can help?

[Dutchy]

Have you tried your Uni's careers service to see if they can help?

Yea, and have another appoinmtnent with them later on this week. They are more experienced in Consulting Agencies and Investment Banking though.

Anyway, I'll try and give the numbers a try!!

[KB]

Just remember Flo "Shoot for the Moon................."

Ken

[Dutchy]

Just a follow up. I have contacted various companies and was requested to send out a CV and cover letter to a few of them. Some companies do not have internship possabilities as they work in small teams (specialist watchmakers). Anyway, I will keep you posted, have sent out two CV's and cover letters already!!