DesignISCO 7311
Clock and watchmaker
A clock and watchmaker is a person who assembles, regulates and repairs mechanical and electronic clocks and watches.
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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
repair clocks
use watchmaker's tools
perform product testing
oversee quality control
wear appropriate protective gear
About clock and watchmaker
The watchmaker handles watchmaking tools — tweezers, fine screwdrivers, an eyeglass, movement holders — and assembles the movement: setting the gear trains, fitting the spring, adjusting clearances and jewel bearings. On longcase clocks the cases are assembled too and the movement hung inside them. In a factory, watches may also be put together on automated assembly machines.
A repair starts with diagnosis. The watchmaker overhauls a clock, establishes whether the cause is wear, dirt, a knock or dried oil, then strips the movement, cleans it, replaces a part and reassembles it. The product is tested: rate accuracy in several positions, power reserve, the sealing of the case.
The watchmaker examines product quality and supervises quality control where they work in a factory, and in their own workshop answers to the customer for a repair. Entry comes through a watchmaking vocational qualification and then through practice under an experienced watchmaker.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a clock and watchmaker.
1
Watch and Clock Assembly
- Assemble timing devices by mounting clock wheelwork, attaching dials, and fastening hands
- Attach clock cases and power cords to electric modules with precision
- Use specialized watchmaker's tools to handle delicate components and mechanisms
2
Quality Inspection and Testing
- Inspect clocks and watches thoroughly for defects, accuracy, and proper functioning
- Perform product testing to verify accuracy and precision of timekeeping
- Oversee quality control processes and maintain standards throughout production
3
Clock and Watch Repair
- Diagnose issues in mechanical and electronic clocks and watches
- Repair damaged components and replace worn or broken parts
- Restore timepieces to working condition while preserving original design and value
4
Component Handling and Manipulation
- Work with various watch and jewelry products with extreme precision and care
- Understand and identify components of clocks and apply appropriate assembly techniques
- Maintain organization and proper storage of small, delicate components
5
Safety and Workspace Management
- Wear appropriate protective gear and maintain a clean, organized workspace
- Handle electrical components safely and follow safety protocols for power tools
- Maintain technical documentation and keep detailed records of repairs and modifications
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (15)
watches and jewellery productswatches and jewellery productsThe offered watches and jewellery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.components of clockscomponents of clocksComponents present in clocks and watches, such as the wheelwork, battery, dials, and hands.repair clocksrepair clocksIdentify problems on clocks or watches, check for deterioration, disassemble parts, regulate, adjust, and replace deficient components.use watchmaker's toolsuse watchmaker's toolsUse tools commonly used for watchmaking and repairing. Common categories include band tools, watch battery tools, cleaning tools, screwdrivers, brushes, flex shaft, loupes or magnifiers, tap and die s...perform product testingperform product testingTest processed workpieces or products for basic faults.oversee quality controloversee quality controlMonitor and assure the quality of the provided goods or services by overseeing that all the factors of the production meet quality requirements. Supervise product inspection and testing.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.attach clock casesattach clock casesAttach clock or watch case to enclose and protect the clockwork or module.mount clock wheelworkmount clock wheelworkMount the wheelwork components of clocks and watches and attach with screws.attach power cords to electric moduleattach power cords to electric moduleAttach the power cords to the electric module of electric clocks or watches.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.inspect clocksinspect clocksInspect clocks and watches and their components for any defects, deterioration or damage. Check electronic timepieces with measuring and testing instruments.attach clock handsattach clock handsAttach the hour, minute, and second clock or watch hands to the clockface using hex nuts and wrenches. Ensure that the hands on the clockface are parallel and aligned.time-display methodstime-display methodsTypes of time-display methods of clocks, such as those of analog clocks, digital clocks, word clocks, projection clocks, auditory clocks, multi-display clocks, or tactile clocks.attach clock dialsattach clock dialsAttach dials or clock faces to clocks or watches.
Optional (39) — show
electric clockselectric clocksClocks and watches that use electrical power to measure the passing of time, such as electric, electronic, digital or quartz clocks and watches.conservation techniquesconservation techniquesThe procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.mechanical clocksmechanical clocksClocks and watches that use a mechanical mechanism to measure the passing of time.timing devicestiming devicesAll mechanical and electric instruments that indicate time, such as clocks, watches, pendulums, hairsprings, and chronometers.characteristics of precious metalscharacteristics of precious metalsVariations of precious metals according to density, corrossion resistance, electrical conductivity, light reflectivity and quality.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.micromechanicsmicromechanicsThe design and production of micromechanisms. Micromechanisms combine mechanical and electrical components in a single device that is less than 1mm across.types of watchestypes of watchesTypes of wristwatches, such as mechanical and quartz, their features and functions, such as calendar, chronograph, water resistance, etc.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.engrave patternsengrave patternsEngrave and print designs and patterns onto a variety of surfaces.monitor machine operationsmonitor machine operationsObserving machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.advise customers on jewellery and watchesadvise customers on jewellery and watchesProvide customers with detailed advice on watches and pieces of jewellery available in the store. Explain about different brands and models and their characteristics and features. Recommend and provid...apply restoration techniquesapply restoration techniquesSelect and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management pr...change watch batterychange watch batterySelect a battery for a watch based on the brand, type and style of the watch. Replace the battery and explain to the customer how to preserve its life.estimate value of clocksestimate value of clocksEstimate the market value of new or used clocks based on professional judgment and knowledge.advise customers on clocksadvise customers on clocksProvide customers with detailed advice on clocks. Explain about different brands and models and their characteristics and features.attach clockworkattach clockworkInstall clockwork or module in clocks or watches. The clockwork includes all mechanisms, movements, motors, and wheel work present in clocks and watches. In mechanical timepieces, in which clockwork m...assemble electrical componentsassemble electrical componentsAssemble switches, electrical controls, circuit boards and other electrical components by using hand and soldering equipment.operate precision measuring equipmentoperate precision measuring equipmentMeasure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, an...attach pendulumsattach pendulumsAttach clock pendulums to the pendulum guide behind the face of the clock.use specialised tools in electric repairsuse specialised tools in electric repairsUse of a variety of specialised tools, instruments and machines, such as presses, drills and grinders. Employ them to carry out repairs in a safety manner.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.operate engraving equipmentoperate engraving equipmentOperate mechanical engraving tools and machines, set controls of cutting tools. Make adjustments if necessary.use precision toolsuse precision toolsUse electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.develop production linedevelop production lineDevelop the production line of a designed product. This corresponds to a sequence of mechanical or manual operations involved within a production process of a manufactured product.estimate cost of jewellery and watches' maintenanceestimate cost of jewellery and watches' maintenanceEstimate the total cost for the maintenance of watches or pieces of jewellery.operate metal polishing equipmentoperate metal polishing equipmentOperate equipment designed to buff and polish metal workpieces, such as diamond solutions, silicon-made polishing pads, or working wheels with a leather polishing strop, and others.maintain jewels and watchesmaintain jewels and watchesUse cleaning equipment to properly care for jewellery and watches, as per customer request. This might involve cleaning and polishing watches and pieces of jewellery.operate precision machineryoperate precision machineryOperate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.estimate value of used jewellery and watchesestimate value of used jewellery and watchesAssess used metal (gold, silver) and gems (diamonds, emeralds) based on age and current market rates.maintain clocksmaintain clocksClean and remove grease from clock and watch components, apply oil to hinges, adjust components, and store them in a waterproof space.repair electronic componentsrepair electronic componentsRepair, replace or adjust damaged electronics components or circuitry. Use hand tools and soldering and welding equipment.sell clockssell clocksSell clocks, watches, or related accessories according to the customer's preferences.perform resource planningperform resource planningEstimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.develop product designdevelop product designConvert market requirements into product design and development.design clocksdesign clocksDesign and develop the artistic design of clocks and watches and its mechanisms and components.precision mechanicsprecision mechanicsPrecision or fine mechanics is a subdiscipline in engineering that focuses on the design and development of smaller precision machines.apply precision metalworking techniquesapply precision metalworking techniquesComply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a clock and watchmaker do?
Clock and watchmakers make mechanical or electronic clocks and watches. They use precision hand tools or automated machinery to assemble the timing devices. Clock and watchmakers may also repair clocks or watches. They can work in workshops or in factories.
What skills does a clock and watchmaker need?
A clock and watchmaker needs 15 essential skills, including watches and jewellery products, components of clocks, repair clocks, use watchmaker's tools, perform product testing.
Will AI replace clock and watchmaker jobs?
The AI disruption score for clock and watchmaker is 30/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: types of watches, components of clocks, communicate with customers. Most resilient: timing devices, time-display methods, use watchmaker's tools.
AI Replacement Risk
30/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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