You may want to repair watches as a profession, to make a little extra money, or to enjoy repairing as a hobbyist.There are many ways to learn watch and /or clock repair. Many people enjoy tinkering with timepieces and thoroughly enjoy seeing an old mechanism come to life after years of neglect and/or abuse. Watch repair does require good eyesight, good hand and eye coordination, and a lot of patience. I certainly do! Others are collectors and can’t find anyone else to repair their timepieces to their satisfaction. Many very good watchmakers started out as hobbyists, and some now are full time in the business. One of the best ways to learn to repair timepieces is to work under a master as an apprentice. However, this is often not possible. Also, some craftsmen prefer to work only on watches, others only on clocks. The skills required are a little different.Just like not everyone can be a good artist, or a good musician, not everyone can learn watch repair. Watch repair is NOT simple, it requires dedication, skill, and a lot of time to learn. In addition, a good collection of tools and supplies is not cheap either!!

For starters, I suggest you join the AWI (American Clockmakers Watchmakers Institute – as it is now called). The AWI has an excellent publication that comes out once a month. Also, the AWI sponsors training that may come to a city near you.In addition, the NAWCC offers courses in watch repair at their headquarters in Pennsylvania. In addition, join a chapter of the NAWCC, the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors – and go to some of their local and regional meetings – if you are in Eastern Virginia, join us at the Old Dominion Chapter 34 meetings in Williamsburg . If you want to get an idea of a recent workshop – try this link which will give you the transcript of one of my workshops on the Watch Balance Wheel. Also, the NAWCC bulletin, which comes out every other month, is very informative with tips and techniques to use in repairing timepieces. You will meet a lot of knowledgeable people, watchmakers, machinists, craftsmen, hobbyists, engineers, doctors, scientists, lawyers, and businessmen, just to name a few. To help beginners learn the basics and get started, I decided to write a repair manual unlike any other found on the market today.