Production · Holland code RC
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components.
Also called: Calibration Specialist, Clockmaker, Watch Technician, Watchmaker, Calibrator, Horologist, Time Stamp Assembler.
O*NET 51-2061.00
At a glance
- Most common education
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- 91% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Some preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- Change timing weights on balance wheels to correct deficient timing.
- Assemble and install components of timepieces to complete mechanisms, using watchmakers' tools and loupes.
- Adjust sizes or positioning of timepiece parts to achieve specified fit or function, using calipers, fixtures, and loupes.
- Observe operation of timepiece parts and subassemblies to determine accuracy of movement, and to diagnose causes of defects.
- Test operation and fit of timepiece parts and subassemblies, using electronic testing equipment, tweezers, watchmakers' tools, and loupes.
- Mount hairsprings and balance wheel assemblies between jaws of truing calipers.
- Replace specified parts to repair malfunctioning timepieces, using watchmakers' tools, loupes, and holding fixtures.
- Disassemble timepieces such as watches, clocks, and chronometers so that repairs can be made.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Active Listening2.9 / 5
- Critical Thinking2.9 / 5
- Monitoring2.9 / 5
- Reading Comprehension2.8 / 5
- Speaking2.8 / 5
- Writing2.5 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical3.6 / 5
- Mathematics3.0 / 5
- Production and Processing2.8 / 5
- Engineering and Technology2.7 / 5
- Education and Training2.6 / 5
- Customer and Personal Service2.4 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic96
- Investigative19
- Artistic3
- Social0
- Enterprising2
- Conventional60
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- calibration technician · DE Kalibrierungstechniker/Kalibrierungstechnikerin · FR régleur-étalonneur en électricité et en électronique/régleuse-étalonneuse en électricité et en électronique
- gunsmith · DE Waffenmechaniker/Waffenmechanikerin · FR armurier/armurière
- precision mechanic · DE Feinwerkmechaniker Fachrichtung Werkzeugbau/Feinwerkmechanikerin Fachrichtung Werkzeugbau · FR mécanicien de précision/mécanicienne de précision
- clock and watchmaker · DE Uhrmacher/Uhrmacherin · FR horloger/horlogère
- optical instrument assembler · DE Feinoptiker/Feinoptikerin · FR monteur régleur d’instruments d’optique/monteuse régleuse d’instruments d’optique
- optical instrument repairer · DE Feinwerkmechaniker/Feinwerkmechanikerin · FR réparateur d’instruments d’optique/réparatrice d’instruments d’optique
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Precision instrument makers and repairers (5224)15,800 employed
- Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out (5222)8,600 employed
- Routine inspectors and testers (8143)54,800 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Craft and related trades workers”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €40,086 |
| Germany | €38,638 |
| Austria | €38,194 |
| Sweden | €37,856 |
| Netherlands | €37,077 |
| Ireland | €36,098 |
| France | €27,145 |
| Italy | €26,488 |
| Spain | €22,817 |
| Portugal | €11,142 |
| Poland | €10,099 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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