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Apprenticeship training course

Watchmaker (level 3)

There is 1 training provider who offers this course.

Apprentice's work location: CH62 3PA

Apprentice can travel: 10 miles

View providers for this course Remove location

Information about Watchmaker (level 3)

Make, service and repair watches.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Health and safety legislation relating to common hazards within the working environment for watch servicing (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH, PPE).
  • The importance of risk analysis to ensure the safety of self and others when using tools, equipment and materials for watch servicing.
  • The importance of safe disposal of all waste materials.
  • Ethical issues in watchmaking (counterfeit watches (fake and replica), watch customization, use of generic parts, the availability of watch parts to watchmakers).
  • Construction, operational principles and maintenance of tools and equipment required for watch servicing. (hand tools required for watch servicing, test equipment and machines for case refinishing).
  • Different types of quartz and mechanical watches, their basic function and construction.
  • The construction of watch cases, bracelets and straps.
  • Procedures for servicing and refinishing watch cases and bracelets.
  • Procedures for resealing and water resistance testing of watch cases.
  • The construction and operational principles of quartz watch movements and their components.
  • Procedures for using test equipment and observations to identify and correct operational faults in quartz watch movements.
  • Procedures for servicing quartz watch movements (disassembly, cleaning, reassembly); Procedures for servicing quartz watch movements (lubrication).
  • The construction and operational principles of mechanical watch movements and their components.
  • Procedures for using test equipment and observations to identify and correct operational faults in mechanical watch movements.
  • Procedures for servicing mechanical watch movements (disassembly, cleaning); Procedures for servicing mechanical watch movements (reassembly, lubrication and adjustment).
  • The specification and estimation of the cost of replacement components for quartz and mechanical watch movements and their cases.
  • Manufacturer’s technical information and its use.
  • The watch servicing industry and associated trades (sequential servicing, watch technician, material dealer, dial restoration, watch restoration, case polishing and refurbishment, making watches, brands, independents).
  • The history and development of time keeping (background to timekeeping, developments in quartz and mechanical watches, alternative escapements, older watches).
  • The use of Information technology for record-keeping, self-learning and continuous development.

Skills

  • Complies with health, safety and environmental legislation (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH, PPE) relating to common hazards within the working environment for watch servicing.
  • Uses equipment safely in accordance with manufacturer's technical information and industry practice.
  • Maintains tools in correct working order according to industry practice.
  • Selects and uses appropriate tools in the servicing and repair of watches.
  • Determines approach to open and service watch cases and remove watch movements.
  • Specifies replacement components required for servicing watch cases and bracelets/straps.
  • Ensures all watch case and bracelet/strap components are in a suitable condition for re-assembly (includes refinishing where necessary).
  • Reassembles watch cases and bracelets, refits movements and reseals watch cases.
  • Uses test equipment to determine the water resistance of the watch (wet and dry testing, condensation test).
  • Uses suitable test procedures and observations for fault finding and to determine the approach for servicing quartz watch movements.
  • Dismantles quartz watch movements in accordance with industry practice.
  • Specifies replacement components required for the servicing of quartz watch movements.
  • Ensures all components for quartz movements are in a suitable condition for re-assembly.
  • Reassembles and lubricates quartz watch movements in accordance with manufacturer's technical information and industry practice.
  • Uses suitable testing procedures and observations for fault finding and to determine the approach for servicing mechanical watch movements.
  • Dismantles mechanical watch movements in accordance with industry practice.
  • Specifies replacement components required for the servicing of mechanical watch movements.
  • Ensures components of mechanical movements are in a suitable condition for re-assembly.
  • Reassembles, lubricates and adjusts mechanical watch movements in accordance with manufacturer's technical information and industry practice.
  • Services watches within agreed commercial time scales.
  • Uses information technology for record-keeping, self-learning and continuous development.

Behaviours

  • Promotes a positive safety culture; ensures work is carried out in a safe way that does not put themselves or others at risk.
  • Maintains a tidy working environment and replaces equipment after use.
  • Adheres to required work practices and completes work to meet deadlines.
  • Shows attention to detail and accuracy during servicing and record keeping.
  • Demonstrates a responsibility to complete routine work with minimal supervision.
  • Listens to others and respects alternative views and opinions.
  • Prioritises an ethical approach and environmental sustainability in watch servicing.
  • Varies communication style appropriately during discussions and explanations with colleagues, clients and others.
  • Recognises the opportunities from the use of information technology in watch servicing.
  • Keeps abreast of developments in the watch servicing industry.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Creative and design
Qualification level
3
Equal to A level
Course duration
24 months
Funding
£27,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Watchmaker
  • Watch Repairer

View more information about Watchmaker (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.