Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Watchmaker

🎯 Role Definition

A Watchmaker is a trained horology professional responsible for diagnosing, servicing, repairing, and restoring wristwatches and pocket watches—mechanical, automatic, and quartz. This role combines fine motor skills, technical expertise in movements and complications, precision measurement, and customer service. The Watchmaker ensures timepiece reliability, water resistance, aesthetic restoration, and maintains detailed service records while supporting after-sales operations for boutiques, independent repair shops, or brand service centers.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Watchmaking apprenticeship or horology school graduate (WOSTEP, AWCI, BHI)
Jewelry bench technician or micro-mechanical technician
Service technician in electronics or precision instruments

Advancement To:

Senior Watchmaker / Lead Technician
Workshop Supervisor / Service Manager
Certified Brand Technician (authorized service center)
Specialty Restorer / Complications Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Technical Trainer / Instructor (horology schools)
Quality Control Inspector (timekeeping & assembly)
Parts Fabrication / Micro-machining Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Diagnose mechanical and quartz timepieces using visual inspection, timing machines, pressure testers, and diagnostic software to determine service level required (cleaning, overhaul, part replacement, or full restoration).
Perform complete movement overhauls: disassemble, ultrasonic clean, inspect all components for wear or damage, replace worn parts, reassemble, lubricate with manufacturer-specified oils, and regulate for accurate timing.
Service and repair chronograph complications, calendar mechanisms, tourbillons, perpetual calendars, and other high-complication assemblies, ensuring correct function and synchronization of all modules.
Restore vintage and antique watches: source or fabricate replacement parts, correct historical finish, stabilize fragile components, and advise on conservation vs. restoration options to preserve value.
Replace and fit mainsprings, balance staffs, jewels, pinions, and screws; perform precision pivot polishing, burnishing, and jewel setting to factory tolerances.
Perform case and bracelet servicing, including ultrasonic cleaning, polishing, brushing, re-sealing, spring-bar replacement, endlink adjustment, links removal/addition, and clasp repair for aesthetic and functional integrity.
Test and certify water resistance using pressure / vacuum testers and replace gaskets, crowns, and casebacks to meet manufacturer water-resistance specifications and warranty standards.
Calibrate and regulate movements to manufacturer or COSC standards using timing machines and beat error adjustments; document pre- and post-service timing data.
Conduct micro-soldering and electronic board repair on quartz movements and smart-hybrid modules when required, following ESD and safety procedures.
Fabricate or modify small parts (pivots, hands, screws, levers) using lathes, micro-milling, staking tools, and hand tools when original parts are unavailable.
Replace, size, and refinish hands; perform hand fitting and alignment to eliminate friction, maintain correct clearance, and ensure dial leg integrity.
Inspect and repair dial, crystal, bezel, and crown components: remove corrosion, refit or replace crystals, and restore luminous material or printing as specified by client or brand protocols.
Keep meticulous work orders and service logs: record diagnostics, parts used, time spent, lubrication points, timing results, and quality checks for warranty and traceability.
Maintain parts inventory, track replacements, request special-order components, and liaise with suppliers and brand parts departments to minimize turnaround times.
Provide accurate time and cost estimates to customers and service advisors, explain necessary repairs, potential risks, and recommend maintenance intervals to maximize timepiece longevity and value.
Perform final quality control checks including extended timing stability tests, power reserve verification, waterproofing cycles, and functional checks of all complications before release to customer.
Train and mentor junior watchmakers and apprentices: teach assembly/disassembly techniques, lubrication practices, timing adjustment, and quality standards to raise workshop capability.
Maintain a clean, organized workspace and calibrate/maintain precision tools and machines (timing machines, ultrasonic baths, pressure testers, lathes) to ensure consistent service quality and safety.
Adhere to brand-specific repair protocols and warranty policies when working for authorized service centers; escalate brand signature or high-value restorations to specialized technicians when required.
Support sales and customer service teams by providing technical input for trade-ins, refurbishment quotes, and product demonstrations that highlight craftsmanship and service professionalism.
Participate in continuous professional development: attend manufacturer training, certification courses (WOSTEP, AWCI, watch brand academies), and stay current with new materials, movement technologies, and service best practices.
Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety, ESD precautions, chemical handling (cleaning solutions and lubricants), and secure handling of customer valuables to mitigate risk and liability.
Manage warranty and repair claim processes including documenting defects, generating repair reports, and communicating with insurance or brand representatives for complex claims.
Support boutique operations with on-site quick service adjustments, minor repairs, and customer consultations to improve retention and generate after-sales revenue.

Secondary Functions

Assist with shop scheduling, appointment coordination, and prioritization of repair orders to optimize throughput and meet SLA targets.
Maintain and update digital service databases, parts catalogs, and repair manuals to enhance knowledge sharing and reduce redundant efforts.
Participate in customer follow-ups post-service to verify satisfaction and gather feedback for continuous service improvement.
Contribute to product testing and pilot repairs for new or limited-edition releases to develop internal repair protocols.
Help prepare content for customer-facing materials (care guides, maintenance tips) and internal training documentation to standardize best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in mechanical and quartz movement disassembly, inspection, repair, reassembly, lubrication, and regulation (ETA, Sellita, Rolex, Valjoux, Miyota).
Experience servicing chronographs, automatic winding systems, calendar mechanisms, and high-complication watches (tourbillon, moonphase, perpetual calendar).
Use of timing machines, beat counters, amplitude meters, pressure / vacuum testers, microscopes, and ultrasonic cleaning equipment.
Micro-machining and part fabrication skills: small-lathe use, micro-drilling, staking, pivot-turning, and hand-finishing techniques.
Hand-finishing skills: polishing, brushing, bevelling, and surface restoration with an eye for OEM cosmetic standards.
Knowledge of watchmaking lubricants and their application points and volumes; familiarity with oil charts and grease specifications.
Competence in measuring and adjusting endshake, power reserve testing, and checking escapement geometry for optimal performance.
Ability to perform micro-soldering and ESD-safe electronic repairs on quartz and hybrid modules.
Strong documentation skills: maintaining service records, parts lists, timing records, and customer communication logs.
Familiarity with brand-specific repair manuals, warranty protocols, and aftermarket part sourcing procedures.
Proficiency with digital service management systems and basic spreadsheet software for inventory and work-order tracking.
Basic proficiency in case restoration techniques including crystal fitting, gasket replacement, and bracelet resizing.

Soft Skills

Exceptional manual dexterity and fine motor control with sustained concentration during repetitive precision work.
Acute attention to detail and a methodical approach to troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
Strong verbal communication and customer-facing skills; able to explain technical issues in plain language and manage customer expectations.
Reliability and time-management skills to prioritize repairs while meeting turnaround commitments and quality standards.
Problem-solving mindset with creativity for parts fabrication and restoration when OEM parts are unavailable.
Patience, persistence, and a steady hand under pressure when working with fragile or valuable timepieces.
Teamwork and mentorship ability to collaborate with service advisors, parts teams, and junior technicians.
Integrity and discretion handling high-value and sentimental customer items.
Adaptability and continuous learning orientation to keep pace with evolving movement designs and materials.
Quality-focused attitude and pride in craftsmanship with a strong commitment to after-sales service excellence.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with formal watchmaking training or apprenticeship (WOSTEP, AWCI, BHI certificate, or accredited horology program).

Preferred Education:

Diploma or Associate degree in Horology, Watch Repair Technology, Precision Mechanics, or equivalent manufacturer certification (brand academies such as Rolex, Patek Philippe training programs).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Horology / Watchmaking
Precision Engineering / Micro-mechanics
Jewelry Technology
Mechanical Engineering (precision focus)
Electronics (for quartz and hybrid module repair)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–7 years of hands-on experience repairing and servicing watches, depending on seniority of role.

Preferred: 3–10+ years of experience for senior or brand-authorized technician positions, with demonstrable experience in luxury watch brands, high-complication servicing, or vintage restoration. Certifications such as WOSTEP, AWCI, CW21 or brand-specific qualifications are strongly preferred.