Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Watch Maker

🎯 Role Definition

A Watch Maker (Watchmaker) is a skilled horology technician responsible for assembling, repairing, servicing, restoring and regulating mechanical and quartz watches. This role requires precision micro-mechanical skills, deep knowledge of movements (manual, automatic, chronograph, quartz), mastery of watchmaking tools and diagnostic equipment, and an obsessive attention to detail to ensure timekeeping accuracy, aesthetic integrity and brand standards. The Watch Maker will work at the bench to disassemble movements, replace worn or damaged parts, perform timing adjustments on a timegrapher, test water resistance, and document service histories — all while maintaining stringent quality control and a strong customer-service orientation.

Keywords: watch maker, watchmaker, horology, mechanical watch repair, movement servicing, chronograph repair, watch assembly, timing regulation, water resistance testing, vintage watch restoration.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Watchmaking Apprentice or Trainee (bench-level apprenticeship)
Bench Technician / Watch Repair Technician (retail service)
Precision Jeweller, Micro-Mechanic or Clockmaker Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Watchmaker / Lead Watchmaker
Workshop Manager / Service Manager
Restoration Specialist or Head of After-Sales Service
Technical Trainer or Horology Instructor

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control Inspector (timekeeping & cosmetic standards)
Parts & Supply Specialist (movement/component sourcing)
Customer Service/Service Advisor (technical liaison between clients and workshop)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Disassemble, clean, inspect, repair and reassemble mechanical and quartz watch movements, including mainsprings, gear trains, escapements, balance assemblies, keyless works and chronograph modules, following manufacturer service intervals and technical bulletins.
Perform complete servicing of automatic and manual-wind movements: ultrasonic cleaning, replacement of worn jewels and pivots, re-bushing where necessary, lubrication with approved oils and greases, and final assembly to factory tolerances.
Diagnose and repair chronograph complications, calendar modules, moonphase displays, GMT mechanisms and other complications, ensuring functional interactions and timing accuracy across all features.
Regulate and adjust timing using a timegrapher and microscope to achieve specified amplitude, beat error and daily rate targets; document pre- and post-service timing results per brand standards.
Strip and rebuild watch cases and bracelets: polish, reshape, refinish, replace gaskets, re-seat crystals, reattach crowns and pushers, and restore case geometry while preserving original finishes for vintage pieces.
Conduct pressure and water-resistance testing (dry/wet and vacuum methods), replace seals and gaskets, and certify watches for specified depth ratings with documented test records.
Manufacture and fit replacement parts when OEM parts are unavailable, using staking sets, lathes, jeweling machines and micro-milling techniques while maintaining original tolerances and function.
Source, identify and replace genuine movement parts, crystals, hands, dials and screws, maintaining accurate inventory records and part provenance in the service management system.
Undertake cosmetic restoration of dials, hands and cases—including light and advanced dial refurbishment and hand re-luming—working with conservation best practices for vintage and high-value timepieces.
Demagnetise movements and components, troubleshoot power reserve and winding efficiency issues, and optimise gear train interactions to restore manufacturer-specified performance.
Perform fine hand-setting of indices and install dial feet with extreme precision to prevent damage and ensure consistent dial alignment and legibility.
Use microscopes, loupes, calipers, micrometers and profilometers to inspect tolerances, measure components and confirm fit during reassembly and final QA checks.
Maintain accurate service records, serial number tracking, service notes and warranty documentation within CRM or service management platforms to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.
Provide time estimates, repair scopes and technical advice to Service Advisors or directly to clients when required; document communications and obtain approvals for non-standard or restorative work.
Follow health, safety and clean-room procedures for handling lubricants, solvents, and delicate components; maintain a clean, organised bench and calibrated tooling.
Perform functional and visual quality control checks at multiple stages of service, including power reserve testing, positional timing checks and final cosmetic inspection before client return.
Restore and conserve vintage and heirloom watches, assessing historical value, recommending reversible restoration approaches, and collaborating with restoration specialists when necessary.
Train, mentor and guide junior technicians and apprentices in bench techniques, tooling care and brand-specific service procedures while promoting adherence to WOSTEP, BHI or manufacturer standards.
Escalate complex technical issues to senior watchmakers or manufacturer technical support and coordinate warranty or donor-component requests as needed.
Continuously update technical knowledge and skills with brand technical sheets, manufacturer workshops, and horology courses to remain current on new calibres, materials (e.g., silicon escapements) and service best practices.
Prepare and present diagnostic reports and final service summaries that clearly show work performed, parts replaced, test results and recommendations for future maintenance to support transparent customer service and resale value.
Manage turnaround times, prioritize urgent repairs (e.g., warranty or VIP clients), and balance volume throughput with high-quality standards to meet SLA and customer satisfaction goals.

Secondary Functions

Support shop operations by assisting with inventory audits, parts ordering and maintaining vendor relationships for movement components, crystals and specialized tooling.
Participate in cross-functional meetings with Service Advisors, Sales and Quality teams to refine service processes and reduce rework.
Contribute to workshop continuous improvement initiatives, suggest tooling upgrades or process changes to improve efficiency, reliability and first-time-fix rates.
Create and update internal technical guides, standard operating procedures and bench checklists that codify brand-specific repair sequences and lubrication matrices.
Provide technical input for product development or warranty claim investigations, including root-cause analysis and defect documentation.
Represent the workshop at client-facing events or technical demonstrations when requested, explaining restoration work, technical choices and timekeeping outcomes.
Assist with refurbishment projects that require cross-discipline skills such as case refinishing, bracelet sizing and aftermarket part sourcing.
Undertake periodic calibration and maintenance of workshop equipment (timegrapher, pressure tester, ultrasonic machine, microscopes) and coordinate third-party service when necessary.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert hand skills in micro-mechanical assembly and disassembly of watch movements, including experience with balance bridges, hairsprings, pivots and jewel setting.
Proficiency with diagnostic equipment: timegrapher (measuring rate, amplitude, beat error), pressure tester / vacuum tester, demagnetiser, ultrasonic cleaner and stereo microscope.
Practical experience servicing common calibres and families (ETA, Sellita, Miyota, Rolex calibres, in-house Swiss movements) and competence working on chronographs and multi-complication movements.
Ability to perform precision machining, re-bushing, staking, staking-set operations, hand pivoting and micro-lathing for component repair and fabrication.
Knowledge of lubrication protocols: correct oils/greases, application amounts, and lubrication points per manufacturer specifications.
Skilled in case and bracelet refurbishment techniques: polishing, brushing, bezel replacement, crystal fitting and crown/stem servicing.
Competence in vintage watch restoration methods, conservation ethics, and reversible restoration techniques to preserve value and authenticity.
Experience with parts sourcing, OEM part identification, and use of parts catalogues or service portals to maintain service archives.
Familiarity with watchmaking standards and certifications such as WOSTEP, BHI (British Horological Institute) or manufacturer training curricula.
Basic digital literacy: service management software, CRM for service records, and familiarity with online technical resources, schematic diagrams and exploded view drawings.
Optional but advantageous: knowledge of CAD/CAM for prototyping small components, experience with silicon escapements and modern materials.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem-solving that prevents errors at each stage of repair.
Superior manual dexterity and steady hands for long periods working under microscopes and loupes.
Strong documentation and record-keeping skills to create clear service reports and maintain warranty compliance.
Excellent communication skills for liaising with service advisors, clients and suppliers; ability to explain technical findings in plain language.
Patience and persistence for diagnosing intermittent faults and restoring complex vintage mechanisms.
Time management and prioritisation skills to meet service-level agreements and manage bench throughput without sacrificing quality.
Team-player mentality with the ability to mentor junior staff and collaborate across workshop, parts and sales teams.
High personal integrity and respect for clients’ high-value items, with a focus on confidentiality and custodial responsibility.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrated manual aptitude and completion of a watchmaking apprenticeship or vocational training module.

Preferred Education:

WOSTEP diploma, British Horological Institute (BHI) certificate, or equivalent watchmaking/horology qualification from an accredited institution.
Technical diploma or associate degree in precision engineering, mechanical engineering or jewellery manufacturing is advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Horology / Watchmaking
Precision Engineering / Micro-Mechanics
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Jewellery and Metalwork / Bench Jeweller training

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–8+ years depending on seniority (Junior: 0–2 years; Mid-level: 2–5 years; Senior: 5–10+ years)

Preferred:

2+ years of hands-on experience servicing mechanical and quartz watches for mid-level roles; 5+ years for senior watchmaker positions.
Proven track record of chronograph servicing, complication repair, vintage restoration, and timekeeping calibration to manufacturer tolerances.
Experience working with luxury or high-volume after-sales service centres, familiarity with warranty procedures and brand technical resources.