Occupation

Watch and Clock Repairers

Human Advantage 64%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.9 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.

Also Known As: Antique Clock Repairer, Antique Clocks Repairer, Auto Clocks Repairer, Caser, Chronometer Repairer, Clock Mechanic, Clock Repair Technician, Clock Repairer +23 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
  2. Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.
  3. Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
  4. Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
  5. Oil moving parts of timepieces.
  6. Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
  7. Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.
  8. Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.
  9. Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands.
  10. Order supplies, including replacement parts, for timing instruments.
  11. Gather information from customers about a timepiece's problems and its service history.
  12. Test and replace batteries and other electronic components.
  13. Record quantities and types of timepieces repaired, serial and model numbers of items, work performed, and charges for repairs.
  14. Demagnetize mechanisms, using demagnetizing machines.
  15. Fabricate parts for watches and clocks, using small lathes and other machines.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
46%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
22%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
21%
Some College Courses
8%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
2%
Less than a High School Diploma
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Software (11)

  • GrenSoft WorkTracer
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Sage Software Sage50
  • Upland Consulting Group Repair Traq
  • WatchWare Repair Shop
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (46)

  • Arbor straighteners
  • Audio probes
  • Beat amplifiers
  • Beat setters
  • Bench knives
  • Bench polishers
  • Brushing tools
  • Busch burs
  • Case knives
  • Case openers
  • Clock timers
  • Degree gauges
  • Demagnetizing machines
  • Escape wheel straighteners
  • Fan gauges
  • Gear pullers
  • Gemological microscopes
  • Glass cutting tools
  • Hammer adjusting tools
  • Hand nut tools
  • Hand pressers
  • Ionic cleaners
  • Jewelers' hammers
  • Jewelers' loupes
  • Jewelry mallets
  • Jewelry steam cleaners
  • Lantern pullers
  • Link pin removers
  • Magnifying table lamps
  • Mainspring winders
  • Micro calipers
  • Mini pliers
  • Oil dispensing cans
  • Pin pushers
  • Pinion pullers
  • Plate spreaders
  • Screw removers
  • Small diameter needle files
  • Steam cleaner tweezers
  • Third hands
  • Tweezers
  • Utility knives
  • Watch battery testers
  • Watch hand removers
  • Watch repair screwdrivers
  • Work vises

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Engineering Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Watch and Clock Repairers You are here
Zone 4
Zone 5

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Real Talk

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