watch and clock repairer
Role lens
Do you enjoy intricate detail and bringing old mechanisms back to life? As a watch and clock repairer, you'll be a skilled artisan preserving timekeeping history and ensuring modern timepieces function flawlessly.
Watch and clock repairers are specialists in the maintenance and restoration of timepieces. Your days might involve diagnosing issues in wristwatches and clocks, replacing batteries, fitting new straps, carefully oiling delicate components, and sourcing or fabricating replacement parts. Some repairers also specialize in the meticulous restoration of antique clocks, requiring a deep understanding of historical mechanisms and techniques.
- • Diagnosing faults and malfunctions in watches and clocks using specialized tools and techniques.
- • Replacing batteries, straps, and other wearable components.
- • Cleaning, oiling, and adjusting intricate mechanical movements.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Handicraft and printing workers — 77 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could watch and clock repairer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Future Outlook for watch and clock repairer
The outlook for watch and clock repairer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could watch and clock repairer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could watch and clock repairer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- apply company policies
- provide customer follow-up services
- provide customer information related to repairs
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- inspect clocks
- use repair manuals
- repair clocks
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a watch and clock repairer
09 09:00 · Morning attach clock cases
10 10:30 · Mid-morning attach clock dials
12 12:00 · Midday attach clock hands
14 14:00 · Afternoon change watch battery
15 15:30 · Late afternoon mount clock wheelwork
17 17:00 · Wrap-up demagnetise watches
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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components of clocks
Components present in clocks and watches, such as the wheelwork, battery, dials, and hands.
- electric clocks
- mechanical clocks
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repair clocks
Identify problems on clocks or watches, check for deterioration, disassemble parts, regulate, adjust, and replace deficient components.
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attach clock cases
Attach clock or watch case to enclose and protect the clockwork or module.
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mount clock wheelwork
Mount the wheelwork components of clocks and watches and attach with screws.
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maintain clocks
Clean and remove grease from clock and watch components, apply oil to hinges, adjust components, and store them in a waterproof space.
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attach clock dials
Attach dials or clock faces to clocks or watches.
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attach clock hands
Attach the hour, minute, and second clock or watch hands to the clockface using hex nuts and wrenches. Ensure that the hands on the clockface are parallel and aligned.
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use watchmaker's tools
Use tools commonly used for watchmaking and repairing. Common categories include band tools, watch battery tools, cleaning tools, screwdrivers, brushes, flex shaft, loupes or magnifiers, tap and die sets, watch testers, watch repair kits, watch crystal tools, watch back openers, gauges, glues, demagnitisers, hammers, oils, watch movement tools, bergeon watch tools, horotec watch tools, watch hand tools, soldering tools, watch polishing tools, and tweezers.
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change watch battery
Select a battery for a watch based on the brand, type and style of the watch. Replace the battery and explain to the customer how to preserve its life.
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use precision tools
Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.
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maintain equipment
Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
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replace defect components
Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
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apply company policies
Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
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inspect clocks
Inspect clocks and watches and their components for any defects, deterioration or damage. Check electronic timepieces with measuring and testing instruments.
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demagnetise watches
Use a demagnetiser to remove magnetism from watches that have obtained these magnetic properties because of the presence of metals at a close distance.
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use repair manuals
Apply the information, such as periodic maintenance charts, step by step repair instructions, troubleshooting information and overhaul procedures to perform routine maintenance and repairs.
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maintain customer service
Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does watch and clock repairer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What level of technical skill is required to become a watch and clock repairer?
- This occupation requires a high degree of manual dexterity, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. While formal training programs exist, many repairers develop their skills through apprenticeships or on-the-job experience. A strong understanding of mechanics and electronics is also beneficial.
- Is it common to work independently as a watch and clock repairer?
- While many watch and clock repairers are employed by jewelry stores, watch retailers, or repair shops, it is also common to establish a self-employed business. This offers the opportunity to specialize in particular types of repairs or restoration and set your own hours.
- What kind of personality traits are well-suited for this career?
- Success in this field requires patience, precision, and a methodical approach. You should enjoy working with small, intricate parts and have a strong desire to solve technical challenges. The ability to focus for extended periods is also important.
- Watch And Clock Repairer — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 4 of the 7 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands. Netherlands has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Watch And Clock Repairer — what does it pay in the United States?
- $60,690 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $49,990 to $110,050. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.