Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information Estimating sises, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

The Work

A Watch and Clock Technician repairs, services and maintains all kinds of watches and clocks, from antiques and mechanical models, to the latest quarts electronic models. Although new parts are mostly imported, a trained repairer should be able to make parts if necessary.  
 
The trade requires wide experience of the various types of watches and clocks, intensive training and a high degree of skill.  
 
The wide range of skills that watch and clock repairers gain often leads them to specialise in a particular area. For example, a watch repairer will be expected to have gained the skills necessary to repair both mechanical and quarts watches but may decide to specialise in one area.

Some repairers specialise in electrical/electronic work. Other areas of specialisation include the restoration of antique watches and clocks.

Watch repair involves cleaning, oiling and fitting replacement parts. Repairers also fit and alter watch straps. The repair and maintenance of antique clocks is a very specialised job. Repairers would need to know how to manage all the original inner workings of such clocks.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
• Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweesers.
• Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
• Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
• Oil moving parts of timepieces.
• Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
• Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.
• Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.
• Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands.
• Order supplies, including replacement parts, for timing instruments.

Further Information

• Horologist - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

There are varied pathways to get into Horology. The skills of repair, maintenance, diagnoses/ fault finding, fine repair work are applicable accross many technician & engineeering roles.  

General Training & Development pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering Precision Manufacturing, Engineering Operations, Engineering Technology, Computer-Aided Design, Engineering OEM, Manufacturing Technician Maintenance Skills Technology, CNC (Computer Numeric Control) Operator, Quality Management (Quality Assurance) at  NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Engineering, Engineering Technology with Electronics, Pre-University Mechatronics (Electronics), Civil, Mechanical & Electronic Engineering, Product Design and Manufacture, Engineering & Electronic Technology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Instrumentation, Electrical Instrumentation, OEM Engineering Technician Sales Apprenticeships NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: General Engineering, Product Design and Technology, Engineering - Electrical & Electronic Engineering, NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Management, Electronic & Computer, Electronic Commerce - Business NFQ level 9

Professional Development & Associations 

The British Horological Institute (BHI) The BHI also offers a number of short introductory courses. It may also possible to do training by distance learning through the industry’s professional body

The Irish Horological craft forum The Irish Horological Craft Forum is a free-to-join information sharing society for anyone interested in clocks and watches. The society aims to raise the quality of workmanship and understanding of clocks by promoting training and communication between members. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €55k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Prosperity.ie/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Irish Antique Dealers Association

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here

• Irish Horological Craft Forum

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The British Horological Institute (BHI)

  • Upton Hall, Upton Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5TE, UK
  • (440)1636 813795
  • Click Here