WATCH AND CLOCK
MAKING IN BRITAIN


Our key objective is to encourage new talent into our fast growing sector. There are opportunities at every level of technical expertise and across business support roles.

HOROLOGY


For anyone with an interest in design, micro-machines and timekeeping, a career in horology is a uniquely satisfying life choice. There is probably nothing more satisfying than experiencing a watch or clock come to life with its first 'tick'!
As a fast growing sector, we can only guarantee our future by
nurturing new and existing talent and by providing broad
opportunities across our member companies.
As a fast growing sector, we can only guarantee our future by nurturing new and existing talent and by providing broad opportunities across our member companies.
-Alistair Audsley, CEO

THERE ARE SEVERAL PILLARS
TO OUR APPROACH

We are raising awareness of watch and clock making as an exciting career choice for young people.
We are steering more people towards part and full-time education with excellent courses available across Britain including the internationally recognised WOSTEP vocational programme.
We are connecting watch and clock makers with our member companies so that they could take advantage of the job opportunities we have here in Britain.
We are encouraging professionals to enter our vital support services - marketing and social media, administration, accounting, HR.

BECOME A WATCH OR CLOCKMAKER

BECOME A
WATCH OR
CLOCKMAKER

Anyone, from any background, can become a horologist, especially if you are the type of person who is always fascinated by how things work!
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Whether you have explored that through your hobbies, or from working in a ‘parallel’ world such as engineering, there’s no doubt that watch and clock makers simply love micro-machines!
Ultimately, it is about personality and aptitude. You’ll tend to be technical, detail-oriented and methodical.

Whether you have explored that through your hobbies, or from working in a ‘parallel’ world such as engineering, there’s no doubt that watch and clock makers simply love micro-machines!

FIND YOUR LEARNING PATHWAY

As you’ll discover below, there are some brilliant British watch and clock making schools where you can learn your craft, whether using distance learning, internationally recognised vocational courses or following the academic path from Foundation up to Masters degrees. Watch and clock making is also a vocation where apprenticeships can play a role and some of our trade members offer these as a gateway to a career.

BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY

Birmingham City University - The unique BA Horology Course at the BCU School of Jewellery continues to work closely with industry partners to deliver excellence in education and training, with particular emphasis on employability skills tailored to meet the growing global demand for qualified watch and clockmakers. The three year Degree develops specialised Watch & Clockmaking skills alongside a strong historical and theoretical understanding of the developments in movement design and performance. “We have a strong history of engaging with industry at BCU and very much welcome innovative ways to work with the sector to develop career opportunities for our Graduates and Alumni alike”. - Jeremy Hobbins, Deputy Head of School & Course Leader

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THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF WATCHMAKING

British School of Watchmaking - a registered UK charity which offers two industry recognised courses, both with a strong focus on graduate employability. The school’s one year 1800 Hour Course is centred on preparing students to provide routine service of contemporary type products, from simple quartz movements through to complicated automatic chronographs. The longer two year 3000 Hour Course offers similar from a service perspective, however, through additional modules it delves much deeper providing valuable traditional watchmaking techniques, including component manufacture and finishing techniques. “Since 2006, we have provided vocational training to over 80 watchmakers setting out on their new careers in watchmaking. We are extremely proud to be part of the ever growing UK watch sector and for the part we have played in bringing new and highly skilled individuals into our industry.” - James Robinson , General Manager Learn more

THE BRITISH HOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE

The British Horological Institute (‘BHI’) - the centre of learning and expertise, the BHI has clock or watch making courses for every level - from beginner or expert; professional or enthusiast. They offer short, practical courses and longer distance-learning programmes through which you can, if you wish, take exams to qualify as a professional watch or clock maker.

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GEORGE DANIELS EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Grants and bursaries - the George Daniels Educational Trust (Isle of Man Charity #1096) George Daniels CBE was a watchmaker for more than 60 years and was presented with more of his profession’s highest honours than any other person. His greatest contributions to the watchmaker’s art were to develop his Co-axial escapement, described as the most important horological development for over 250 years, and the seminal texts on the subject, Watchmaking (ISBN 978-0-85667-749-76) and The Practical Watch Escapement (ISBN 978-0-85667-687-1).
George Daniels was passionate about education, and his legacy, The George Daniels’ Educational Trust, established upon his passing on the 21st October 2011, is a lasting tribute to a remarkable man. It was his wish to support students demonstrating initiative and merit, but lacking the necessary resources to realise their ambitions, so that they might advance their education and further the development of the disciplines of Engineering, Horology, Medicine and Building or Construction.
Endeavouring to realise George Daniels’ aspiration to bring watchmaking back to Britain, The George Daniel's Educational Trust will promote horological training through supporting worthy students at Birmingham City University, the British School of Watchmaking and West Dean College. “By actively supporting those wishing to make a career from horology in the UK, we hope to see the development of a closer relationship between the Trust and horological manufacture in Britain, a tie that will hopefully ensure that the Trust, following George’s ethos, can more effectively facilitate progress.” - Mike Blaney, Trustee

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“It should be the ambition of every professional to make a contribution to his field of study. This can only be achieved by constant striving for improvement.”
Dr George Daniels CBE - 1981