U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
AWCI to Hold Annual Convention in Tampa
The yearly gathering organized by the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute is scheduled for Oct. 4 to 7.

Tampa, Fla.--The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute will host its annual convention in Tampa, Florida, this October.
The three-day conference, which is open to both professionals and hobbyists, is scheduled for Oct. 4 to 7 at the DoubleTree Westshore Hotel.
It will include more than 12 hours of education for both professionals and beginners, a vendor fair with tools and technology from distributors and manufacturers, a tour of the facilities of watch band manufacturer Hadley-Roma and networking opportunities.
The keynote speaker will be John Reardon, international head of watches at Christie’s, and featured speakers include watch journalist Joe Thompson, Tom Schomaker (CMW21), Andrew DeKeyser (CW21) and Laurence Blanchard (CMW21).
Class topics include: American Style Time & Strike Movement, Servicing the Accutron, Appraising for Clockmakers and Watchmakers and Selecting & Maintaining a Lathe. Certified attendees can receive up to 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs) for attending.
To register, visit AWCI.com/Symposium. Updates will be posted on the AWCI’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Early-bird rates ($599 for full registration, $249 for one day and $349 for plus-one guests) are available until Aug. 15.
Two other groups also will be joining AWCI in Tampa.
The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors will be holding an Atmos clock repair course from Oct. 2 to 4, taught by Jeff Hamilton (CMC), and the Chronometer Club will have Ernie Tope (CMW21) do a presentation on Oct. 4 on chronometers and the use of CAD/CAM and CNC for watch repair.
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