The skill of watchmaking may seem like a lost art, but horology is still a viable career in this age of technology. A horologist designs, builds and repairs watches. Becoming a horologist requires patience, dedication and the completion of watchmaking school or an apprenticeship. It’s a specialty that allows for creativity with an eye toward precision.
Job Description
Horology involves everything having to do with timekeeping and watches. A horologist specializes in the art and science of timekeeping. Horologists study and become familiar with every component of a watch, even the minuscule pieces in the timekeeping mechanism. Horologists create concepts and designs for watches and bring those designs to life. They are also skilled at making needed repairs to watches.
Given the small size of the parts being worked with, a horologist must have great vision, an attention to detail and the ability to be precise. Horologists spend a lot of time sitting in a chair, hunched over their projects, making it an often physically fatiguing profession.
Education Requirements
Most people who enter the field of horology do so because of a passion and dedication to watches. That passion and dedication must translate into intensive training that provides technical knowledge and hands-on experience in the form of either:
- Watchmaking school.
- Apprenticeship.
Recognized watchmaking schools are situated all over the world, with the most notable being in Switzerland. At watchmaking school, you take classes specified to the trade and gain hands-on experience with crafting and repairing watches. There are also certified watchmaking courses at schools around the country that can give you the technical expertise and experience needed to become a horologist.
If you learn better with hands-on experience, you can enter the field of horology through apprenticing with an experienced horologist. This one-on-one training means less formal class time and more personalized knowledge.
Industry
Whether you opt for watchmaking school or an apprenticeship, you can expect to work in one of several industries as a horologist. If you want to work in a more corporate environment, you can work for a watch manufacturer or a major brand. You can work for a small watch service center or a retail jewelry store, either as an employee or an independent contractor. You can even decide to start your own business or work from home. There is a lot of flexibility in the field, depending on your particular goals.
Years of Experience and Salary
As with many professions, years of experiences as a horologist generally means a higher salary. That is because your level of expertise and skill tend to increase the longer you’ve been in the profession. If you opt to get industry certification and take a certified watchmaking course, you may be able to command an even higher salary.
The median salary for all watch repairers, including watchmakers, is $35,770 as of May 2017, which means that half earn more than this, while the other half earns less. The top 10 percent of watch repairers earns $62,410, while the bottom 10 percent earn less than $21,340. The top 10 percent of those who take a certified watchmaking course and become certified may earn more than $70,000 per year.
Job Growth Trend
Due to a shortage of skilled horologists in the United States, mainly due to retirement, there is an increased demand for watchmakers. The field of horology is a small industry that only a few capable professionals enter each year. As new technologies and new timepieces constantly evolve, there is always a demand for new horologists to become experts in the field and enter the profession.
