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Watch or clock repairer
Horologist, clock maker
Watch and clock repairers fix, service and restore customers' timepieces and those held in collections.
Average salary (a year)
£21000
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
42.0 to 44.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
weekends
on a rota
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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
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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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.
More Information
Professional And Industry Bodies
You could join the British Horological Institute and The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers for training opportunities and professional development.
Further Information
You can find out more about watch and clockmaking careers from the British Horological Institute.
Skills and knowledge
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Day to day tasks
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
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.
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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