Watch and Clock Repairers

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Installation, Maintenance & Repair
• O*NET-SOC code: 49-9064
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
• Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.
• Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
• Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
• Oil moving parts of timepieces.
• Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
• Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.
• Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.
• Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands.
• Order supplies, including replacement parts, for timing instruments.
• Gather information from customers about a timepiece's problems and its service history.
• Test and replace batteries and other electronic components.

Tools and technology

Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Arbor straighteners, Audio probes, Beat amplifiers, Beat setters, Bench knives, Bench polishers, Brushing tools

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
• Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers
• Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Watch and Clock Repairers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.