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Overview
Clock and watch repairers mend and restore clocks and watches.
Activities
In your day-to-day tasks you would:
- Inspect and take apart watches or clocks to identify faults
- Replace batteries
- Clean and oil parts
- Make new parts to replace worn ones
- Fit new watch straps
- Etch or engrave designs onto a watch face
- Maintain and repair equipment and ensure cleanliness of workshop
- Liaise with customer and sales team regarding specific orders or repairs
Organisations
You could start this career in a jewellery shop dealing with customers who bring their watches and clocks in for repair. Some clock and watch makers specialise in working with luxury brands.
If you specialise in antique clocks, you could work in a museum conserving antique clocks, or work at an auctioneer as a valuer.
Workplace
You could work in a workshop anywhere around our region. You tend to work a lot at a bench and on your own. You would occasionally have to speak to customers and visit large places. Even ‘Big Ben’ in London needs the occasional maintenance.
Working Hours
42 to 44 a week, you could also work weekends.
Salary
Salary: £20,000 – £40,000 per year.
Predicted trends -10.5% decrease leading to: 2,365 fewer jobs by 2027.
Qualifications
You could try to find a trainee position with a watch or clock repair firm who would then put you through their own training programme. Most people access this career via an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry Level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be component enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.