Employers

Approximately 2,780 watch and clock repairers are employed throughout the country. Jewelry and department stores and service outlets employ watch and clock repairers. Watch and clock manufacturers may also hire repairers to work in their service departments. Many people with these skills operate their own repair businesses either in a storefront or in their own homes.

Starting Out

Job seekers might check the listings for "jewelers" or "watch repair" in their local Yellow Pages or online and apply directly to any establishments that seem likely. Watch manufacturers can be contacted directly regarding job openings. Graduates of watch and clock repair training programs may get job search assistance their school's career services office. Local newspaper classified ads also post job openings in the field.

Associations post job openings or offer referral networks on their Web sites. Explore the sites and consider joining a local chapter to better access job leads, make contacts in the industry, and learn about developments in horology.

Watch repairers who work in stores and shops may be promoted to positions as supervisors or service managers. Experienced repairers can go into business for themselves by opening their own repair shop and perhaps eventually expanding it into a retail store selling items such as jewelry and silver in addition to clocks and watches. Some repairers get further training in engraving, jewelry repair, design, or stone setting. Such additional skills may open new avenues for advancement.

Another possibility for some workers is to apply their precision skills in another field. For example, past experience as a watch or clock repairer may be marketable to a company that manufactures aircraft components with small parts. Such job changes, however, are likely to require additional training.

Read the Horological Times (https://www.awci.com/horological-times) and Watch and Clock Bulletin (https://www.nawcc.org/publications/watch-clock-bulletins) to learn more about the field.

Visit https://awci-jobs.careerwebsite.com for job listings.

Talk to a watch repairer about his or her career. The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute provides a database of watchmakers at https://awci.memberclicks.net/find-a-professional, which can be used to identify possible interview candidates.