Watch or clock repairer
Watch and clock repairers fix, service and restore customers' timepieces and those held in collections.
Also known as: Horologist, clock maker
- Starter salary£21,000 a year
- Experienced£30,000 a year
- Typical hours42 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a watch or clock repairer, you'll:
- talk to customers and sales staff about repairs and give quotes
- take apart and inspect timepieces to identify faults
- clean and oil mechanisms
- make new parts to replace worn ones
- fit new watch straps and batteries
- etch or engrave designs onto a watch face
- maintain and repair tools and keep the workshop clean
Working environment
You could work in a workshop.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- persistence and determination
- the ability to repair machines or systems
- the ability to use your initiative
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- analytical thinking skills
- problem-solving skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a watch or clock repairer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- specialist courses run by training organisations
University
There is a small number of university courses in England, covering this subject, for example:
- a degree in horology
- a foundation degree in historic craft practices - clocks
- a diploma in conservation studies - clocks
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You may be able to do a part-time course in clock or watch servicing, which could help you to get a trainee position with a watch and clock repair company.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply for a place on a Watchmaker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship takes around 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Other routes
You could take training through the British Horological Institute . They offer short courses for beginners along with more advanced qualifications.
You can study for a professional qualification on the Watchmaker Training Programme at The British School of Watchmaking .
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers also has details about full-time and part-time training courses.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could manage a workshop or retail jewellery outlet, or run your own business repairing or designing watches.
You could specialise in working for luxury clock and watch maker brands.
If you specialise in antique watches or clocks, you could work with museums, conserving and restoring their collections. You might also work for auctioneers as a valuer.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the British Horological Institute and The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers for training opportunities and professional development.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
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