The War Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, in conjunction with the American Watch Guild, will be launching The Watchmaker and Technician Training Program for Disabled War Veterans and War Veterans.

With the number of practicing watchmakers at an all-time-low of 4,400, the goal of the program is to help replenish the shortage of watchmakers and watch technicians.

So far, the program has accomplished the following:

* Bob Filotei, national director of the program, is in communication with 11 U.S. horological schools, which will donate scholarships, tools and materials.
* Letters have been sent to horological schools announcing the initiative.
* A Web site is being built that will be the focal point for war veterans, horological schools, manufacturers and retailers.