Career Suggestion

Watch or clock repairer

Watch and clock repairers fix, service and restore customers' timepieces and those held in collections.

Average salary (a year)

£21000.0 to £30000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

42.0 to 44.0 a week

You could work

weekends on a rota

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

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
  • 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

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.

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