When searching the internet to find a watch repair shop, what terms do you use: antique watch repair, vintage watch repair, old hand-wound watch? Chances are, it probably is not “watchmaker.” But this term was commonly used to describe someone in the trade of watch repair before the advent of battery operated watches.
What is a Watchmaker?
A Watchmaker was originally a craftsman or artisan who made timepieces from scratch. In later years this term became synonymous with a person who possessed the knowledge and skill to repair pocket and wristwatches. Even though actual watch manufacture was not part of a watchmaker’s duties, a similar level of expertise was required to repair a watch. Understanding of theory, mechanics, metallurgy, and manual dexterity was needed. If a part was not available, it had to be made. The scarcity of parts was especially a problem for the watchmaker who was isolated from urban centers, where parts were not readily available.
Watchmaker Today
Although requirements differ in each country, traditionally, a watchmaker would have many years of apprenticeship under a skilled artisan and join a guild (specialized groups for any particular craft or trade). In more recent times (early to mid 20th century), states and provinces would issue an official registration for watchmakers meeting specific requirements. Many schools existed for watchmakers, and companies such as Elgin provided training for employees. As part of this training, many classes required students to make a pocket watch (using pre-engineered dies and molds).
In the early 1970s the mechanical watch fell from favor and cheaper quartz watches dominated the market. The number of watchmakers diminished as they aged and retired. Schools slowly closed, and formal training opportunities became limited. Traditional watchmakers were becoming rare.
Many watchmakers today have learned their skills through apprenticeship under experienced watchmakers. For the self-taught, tremendous amounts of information can be obtained by searching scanned internet archives such as Google books. There are also several training options available (although very limited).
Finding the right person today to repair your watch depends much on the age of the timepiece and the watchmaker’s particular expertise. I will cover this subject in a future article.
Please visit my website TimePieceShoppe if you need your watch repaired
