Watch Repairers

Career Description: Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks.

Industry: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Other Job Titles for Watch Repairers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Oil moving parts of timepieces.
• Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.
• Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
• Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
• Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
• Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.
• Fabricate parts for watches and clocks, using small lathes and other machines.
• Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
• Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands.
• Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.
• Record quantities and types of timepieces repaired, serial and model numbers of items, work performed, and charges for repairs.
• Gather information from customers about a timepiece's problems and its service history.
• Test and replace batteries and other electronic components.
• Demagnetize mechanisms, using demagnetizing machines.
• Separate tubed tires from wheels, using rubber mallets and metal bars or mechanical tire changers.
• Patch tubes with adhesive rubber patches or seal rubber patches to tubes, using hot vulcanizing plates.
• Inflate inner tubes and immerse them in water to locate leaks.
• Clean sides of whitewall tires.
• Apply rubber cement to buffed tire casings prior to vulcanization process.
• Drive automobile or service trucks to industrial sites to provide services and respond to emergency calls.
• Prepare rims and wheel drums for reassembly by scraping, grinding, or sandblasting.
• Order replacements for tires and tubes.
• Roll new rubber treads, known as camelbacks, over tire casings, and mold the semi-raw rubber treads onto the buffed casings.
• Buff defective areas of inner tubes, using scrapers.
• Place casing-camelback assemblies in tire molds for the vulcanization process and exert pressure on the camelbacks to ensure good adhesion.
• Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems.
• Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.
• Install updated software, and programs that maintain existing software and/or provide requested features such as time-correlated call routing.
• Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming.
• Perform database verifications, using computers.
• Address special issues or situations, such as illegal or unauthorized use of equipment, or cases of electrical or acoustic shock.
• Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services.
• Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers.
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components, and painting worn or exposed areas.
• Measure distances from landmarks to identify exact installation sites for equipment.
• Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools.
• Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.
• Install telephone station equipment, such as intercommunication systems, transmitters, receivers, relays, and ringers, and related apparatus, such as coin collectors, telephone booths, and switching-key equipment.
• Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment.
• Place intercept circuits on terminals to handle vacant lines in central office installations.

Emerging Tasks

• Order supplies, including replacement parts, for timing instruments.
• Clean and tidy up the shop.
• Inspect, repair, or replace brake systems.
• Weld, repair, and fabricate various equipment and machinery.
• Unlock cars and other vehicles.
• Order bicycle parts.
• Sell bicycles and accessories.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• 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.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• 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.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust or set mechanical controls or components
• calibrate or adjust electronic equipment or instruments to specification
• estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• hand engrave jewelry-related products
• lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
• maintain repair records
• operate lathes
• polish jewelry, silverware or related products
• precision assemble watches or other timing devices
• read schematics
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• repair digital timing devices
• repair mechanical timing devices
• repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
• replace electronic components
• test mechanical products or equipment
• understand service or repair manuals
• use cash registers
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use electronic calibration devices
• use engraving techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• splice electric or communications trunk lines
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• use electrical line repair equipment
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use soldering equipment
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• prepare site or surfaces for concrete or masonry work
• provide customer service
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair electronic components, equipment, or systems
• repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
• replace electronic components
• resolve customer or public complaints
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• splice electric cable
• splice electric or communications trunk lines
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• test electronic or electrical circuit connections
• understand detailed electronic design specifications
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical information for electronic repair work
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use soldering equipment
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use combination welding procedures
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use electronic calibration devices
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of ventilation systems
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use pipe fitting equipment
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use pressure gauges
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• use control or regulating devices to adjust or maintain industrial machinery
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use high voltage apparatus
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of ventilation systems
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use measuring devices in repairing industrial or heavy equipment
• use pipe fitting equipment
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use pressure gauges
• use soldering equipment
• use tube bending equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$15.92
• Average annual wage (2007) - $33,110.00

• Employment (2006): 3,814

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