To become a watchmaker you usually train through a specialist course, a horology degree or an apprenticeship such as the UK Watchmaker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which takes around 2 years. In the US, O*NET says the job usually needs vocational training, related on-the-job experience or an associate's degree, with one or two years of training on top.
Watchmakers repair, clean and adjust mechanical and quartz timepieces. It's precise, patient bench work with tiny parts, and it suits people who enjoy concentrating on one problem for a long time.
I've used two official sources, read as of October 2026: the O*NET OnLine profile for watch and clock repairers, run for the US Department of Labor, and the UK National Careers Service profile for watch or clock repairers.
Watch repair at a glance
| Measure | O*NET figure |
|---|---|
| Median wage (2025) | $32.32 an hour, or $67,230 a year |
| Jobs in 2025 | 1,400 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | Little or no change |
| Projected job openings, 2025 to 2035 | 100 |
| Preparation needed | Job Zone Three: medium preparation |
That's O*NET's national median as of October 2026. It's a very small field, so you might work for a jeweller or a repair workshop, or run your own bench.
Training routes in the UK
The National Careers Service lists four ways in:
- University. A small number of courses in England, such as a degree in horology, a foundation degree in historic craft practices for clocks, or a diploma in conservation studies for clocks. You'll usually need at least 1 A level for a foundation degree, or 2 to 3 for a degree.
- College. A part-time course in clock or watch servicing can help you land a trainee position.
- Apprenticeship. The Watchmaker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship takes around 2 years. It helps to have 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and maths.
- Specialist courses. The British Horological Institute runs short courses for beginners and more advanced qualifications, and The British School of Watchmaking offers a Watchmaker Training Programme.
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers also lists full-time and part-time training courses, and both it and the British Horological Institute offer professional development once you're working.
Training in the US
O*NET places watch and clock repairers in Job Zone Three, where most jobs need training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience or an associate's degree. It says people usually need one or two years of training that mixes on-the-job experience with informal training from experienced workers.
Becoming a watchmaker, step by step
- Test your hands and patience. Try servicing an old mechanical watch or clock to see whether you enjoy the work.
- Choose your training. Pick a degree, a part-time course, an apprenticeship or a specialist programme.
- Learn the core bench skills. Disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, regulation and reassembly come first.
- Get workshop experience. A trainee role with a repair company or jeweller builds speed and confidence.
- Join a professional body. Membership helps with training, contacts and credibility with customers.
What you'll do at the bench
O*NET lists the core tasks. You'll disassemble timepieces and inspect them with a loupe for defective, worn, misaligned or rusty parts. You'll clean, rinse and dry parts using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical cleaning machines, and repair or replace broken parts using lathes, drill presses and hand tools.
You'll adjust timing regulators with truing calipers, watch-rate recorders and tweezers, test accuracy with meters and electronic instruments, and replace batteries and glass faces before returning a watch to its owner. Some watchmakers also fabricate parts on small lathes when no replacement exists.
The National Careers Service adds customer work: talking to customers and sales staff about repairs, giving quotes, fitting straps and batteries, and engraving designs onto a watch face. You'll also maintain your tools and keep the workshop clean.
Skills that matter
The National Careers Service lists attention to detail, the ability to work well with your hands, persistence, the ability to repair machines, initiative, knowledge of engineering science and technology, analytical thinking and problem solving. Good eyesight with magnification and a steady hand are what you'll use most, every day.
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Watchmaking sits close to jewellery work, and many repairers work inside jewellers' shops. My guide on how to become a jeweler covers that neighbouring trade. If you like precision mechanisms more broadly, how to become a locksmith is another small-parts trade worth comparing.
The honest picture
O*NET counts 1,400 jobs in the US and expects little or no change over the decade, with about 100 openings. That's tiny. The upside is that skilled watchmakers are hard to replace, and the median wage is higher than many trades with shorter training. You'll need to be willing to travel or relocate for the right workshop, or build your own customer base.
Don't overlook clocks either. The National Careers Service covers watch and clock repair as one job, and some repairers specialise in antique clocks, which can open doors to conservation and restoration work that watch servicing alone wouldn't.
Before you buy expensive tools, try a short beginner course. You'll find out quickly whether you enjoy hours of close work under magnification, and you'll leave knowing which tools you need first.
My verdict
If you're patient, precise and love mechanical objects, watchmaking is a rewarding craft with few competitors. Start with a beginner course to check you enjoy it, then commit to a structured route such as the Level 3 apprenticeship or a specialist programme. Join a professional body early, because in a field this small, contacts open doors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a watchmaker?
The UK Watchmaker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship takes around 2 years. O*NET says people in the US usually need one or two years of training combining on-the-job experience with informal training.
Do you need a degree to be a watchmaker?
No. A horology degree is one option, but you can also train through a part-time college course, an apprenticeship or specialist courses such as those run by the British Horological Institute.
How much do watchmakers make?
O*NET lists a 2025 median of $32.32 an hour, or $67,230 a year, for watch and clock repairers, as of October 2026.
Is watchmaking a growing career?
Not in numbers. O*NET expects little or no change in US employment from 2025 to 2035, with about 100 projected openings, so skilled repairers often build their own client base.
