Watchmaker (Clockmaker) is a professional who repairs, cleans, and adjusts mechanisms of timing instruments such as watches and clocks. Sometimes, they are also titled as Watchmakers, Watch Technicians and Mechanical Timepiece Repairers. Their work mostly is with tiny instruments which are seen by using some of the lenses to put inside watches. They will also need to restore the watch cosmetically if it has suffered wear or damage to the casing or strap.
A job of a Watchmaker demands huge levels of concentration, a detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of movement and extraordinary levels of patience, watch-making is not a job to appeal to the masses. The eventual career goal for many watchmakers is to reach the level of movement designer in an established design bureau.
Watchmaker Eligibility
Educational Qualification
The minimum educational qualification for becoming a Watchmaker is Bachelor’s Degree/Engineering Degree.
Watchmaker Required Skills
- Watchmakers must have the ability to commit to a long project time; ability to complete complex, detailed and patient work.
- They should have a good eye for tiny detail and ability to interpret mechanical demands in a practical way.
- Candidates should be able to commit to long days (12 hours plus), as certain phases of the construction process should happen without interruption.
- They also possess the ability to identify component parts to complete repairs of existing designs; complete understanding of mechanical movement.
How to become Watchmaker?
One has to follow given steps for becoming a Watchmaker-
Step 1
Everyone has a zeal of doing something in life from their school days which take shape after completing their education. It means they must have a good interest in this watch-making industry. After completing their schools they have to go for further higher studies for it. Their courses mainly are mechanical based or manual as they have to do a lot of work during watch-making.
Step 2
For this type of courses, they have to have admission in colleges/universities of the native country; some of the cases they have to appear in entrance tests for it but depends on the institute to institute. After completing the course they can apply for the jobs in various watch-making companies both inside India and outside it.
Step 3
Candidates who are looking to pursue jobs at managerial levels should pursue management degrees. Jobs in repairing and maintenance usually call for a Degree/ Diploma in Engineering. Designers need to have a relevant qualification either in product or Jewellery Designing.
Watchmaker Job Description
In the case of a watchmaker, they are responsible for overall concept, mechanical design and eventual build process. The watchmaker will consider mechanical components needed to complete the movement apparatus. They will need to consider components to be employed in the construction of the case and strap. Switzerland is a popular country in watch-making in the world.
Watchmaker Career Prospects
After completing the courses, candidates have so many job prospects both in India and outside it such as Switzerland and other European countries. Candidates are being given jobs as per their educational qualifications by the employers. So many institutes offer campus jobs for the students. Other best career option is to start their-own watch related business like watch-retailing, watch-repairing and assembling new watch, etc.
Watchmaker Salary
The salaries of Watchmakers can vary somewhat and depend on the individual skills of a person and their reputation as a skilled horologist. It is difficult to predict the exact earning one can get in this industry. However, a fresher generally can be paid Rs.15,000 per month. Repair and Maintenance Professionals with a diploma from polytechnics could range from Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000 per month. But Engineering Graduates hired for the same jobs would attract higher compensation packages in established companies.
