Clock and watchmaker to precision mechanic
A clock and watchmaker already meets 24% of what the precision mechanic role asks for. The move turns on 9 required skills not yet in the profile.
71/ 100
1 How much of what a precision mechanic is expected to do is already part of a clock and watchmaker’s work. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs, because moving into a speciality is not the same problem as moving out of one. 2 Every skill the precision mechanic role is recorded as needing, required and optional together. What these numbers mean.
Why this move works
A precision mechanic role treats 4 of its required skills as things a clock and watchmaker already does. You would walk in with these on day one.
- micromechanics
- operate precision measuring equipment
- precision mechanics
- use precision tools
What stands in the way is 9 required skills the profile does not yet cover. Table 3 groups them; Table 4 says which to take first.
Table 2 · What you already bring
Of the 7 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A precision mechanic role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a clock and watchmaker background worth leading with.
- already held micromechanics engineering, manufacturing and construction
- already held precision mechanics engineering, manufacturing and construction
- already held assemble electrical components handling and moving
- already held apply precision metalworking techniques working with machinery and specialised equipment
- already held use precision tools handling and moving
- already held operate precision measuring equipment working with machinery and specialised equipment
All 7 carried skills, including the 4 the precision mechanic role treats as required.
Table 3 · What you may need to learn
The 30 missing skills fall into 9 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered in the order worth working in. Areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the optional ones. Nothing here is a verdict on you: it is a list of what this particular job asks for that your current one does not.
- still to learn assemble machines required
- still to learn supply machine with appropriate tools required
- optional, not held assemble metal parts optional
- optional, not held assemble electronic units optional
- optional, not held dispose of hazardous waste optional
- still to learn monitor automated machines required
- still to learn supply machine required
- optional, not held conduct routine machinery checks optional
- optional, not held perform machine maintenance optional
- optional, not held use testing equipment optional
- still to learn set up the controller of a machine required
- optional, not held tend CNC drilling machine optional
- optional, not held tend CNC grinding machine optional
- optional, not held tend CNC laser cutting machine optional
- optional, not held tend CNC milling machine optional
- optional, not held tend computer numerical control lathe machine optional
- still to learn consult technical resources required
- optional, not held conduct quality control analysis optional
- optional, not held maintain records of maintenance interventions optional
- optional, not held record test data optional
- still to learn perform test run required
- optional, not held operate soldering equipment optional
- optional, not held operate welding equipment optional
- still to learn mechanics required
- optional, not held manufacturing of office equipment optional
- optional, not held manufacturing of pumps and compressors optional
3 further areas in the appendix
Table 4 · Where to start
The 3 entries a precision mechanic role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.
- 01 assemble machines practise this
- 02 consult technical resources practise this
- 03 mechanics study this
Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.
Appendix · The rest of the record
All 7 skills that carry over
- already held micromechanics knowledge
- already held operate precision measuring equipment skill
- already held precision mechanics knowledge
- already held use precision tools skill
- already held apply precision metalworking techniques skill
- already held assemble electrical components skill
- already held electronics knowledge
The 3 learning areas not shown above
- still to learn secure working area required
- optional, not held resolve equipment malfunctions optional
- optional, not held troubleshoot optional
- optional, not held manufacturing of taps and valves optional
21 supplementary skills, helpful but not required
- optional, not held assemble metal parts optional
- optional, not held manufacturing of office equipment optional
- optional, not held manufacturing of pumps and compressors optional
- optional, not held manufacturing of taps and valves optional
- optional, not held assemble electronic units optional
- optional, not held conduct quality control analysis optional
- optional, not held conduct routine machinery checks optional
- optional, not held dispose of hazardous waste optional
- optional, not held maintain records of maintenance interventions optional
- optional, not held operate soldering equipment optional
- optional, not held operate welding equipment optional
- optional, not held perform machine maintenance optional
- optional, not held record test data optional
- optional, not held resolve equipment malfunctions optional
- optional, not held tend CNC drilling machine optional
- optional, not held tend CNC grinding machine optional
- optional, not held tend CNC laser cutting machine optional
- optional, not held tend CNC milling machine optional
- optional, not held tend computer numerical control lathe machine optional
- optional, not held troubleshoot optional
- optional, not held use testing equipment optional
47 held skills the precision mechanic role does not ask for
- not needed by the target role advise customers on clocks skill
- not needed by the target role advise customers on jewellery and watches skill
- not needed by the target role apply restoration techniques skill
- not needed by the target role attach clock cases skill
- not needed by the target role attach clock dials skill
- not needed by the target role attach clock hands skill
- not needed by the target role attach clockwork skill
- not needed by the target role attach pendulums skill
- not needed by the target role attach power cords to electric module skill
- not needed by the target role change watch battery skill
- not needed by the target role characteristics of precious metals knowledge
- not needed by the target role communicate with customers skill
- not needed by the target role components of clocks knowledge
- not needed by the target role conservation techniques knowledge
- not needed by the target role design clocks skill
- not needed by the target role develop product design skill
- not needed by the target role develop production line skill
- not needed by the target role electric clocks knowledge
- not needed by the target role engrave patterns skill
- not needed by the target role estimate cost of jewellery and watches' maintenance skill
- not needed by the target role estimate value of clocks skill
- not needed by the target role estimate value of used jewellery and watches skill
- not needed by the target role inspect clocks skill
- not needed by the target role inspect quality of products skill
- not needed by the target role maintain clocks skill
- not needed by the target role maintain jewels and watches skill
- not needed by the target role mechanical clocks knowledge
- not needed by the target role monitor machine operations skill
- not needed by the target role mount clock wheelwork skill
- not needed by the target role operate engraving equipment skill
- not needed by the target role operate metal polishing equipment skill
- not needed by the target role operate precision machinery skill
- not needed by the target role oversee quality control skill
- not needed by the target role perform product testing skill
- not needed by the target role perform resource planning skill
- not needed by the target role read standard blueprints skill
- not needed by the target role repair clocks skill
- not needed by the target role repair electronic components skill
- not needed by the target role sell clocks skill
- not needed by the target role time-display methods knowledge
7 further entries not listed here
4 gaps that are knowledge rather than practice
Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.
- still to learn mechanics required
- optional, not held manufacturing of office equipment optional
- optional, not held manufacturing of pumps and compressors optional
- optional, not held manufacturing of taps and valves optional
Common questions about this move
Can a clock and watchmaker become a precision mechanic?
Yes, and it is a substantial move. A clock and watchmaker already covers 24% of what a precision mechanic is expected to do: 7 skills carry over, 4 of which the precision mechanic role treats as required.
What skills does a clock and watchmaker need to become a precision mechanic?
9 required skills are missing, plus 21 optional ones. They fall into 9 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, led by handling and moving. The single most important is assemble machines.
How hard is the move from clock and watchmaker to precision mechanic?
Its learning distance is 71 out of 100, which is the substantial band. That accounts for both how much is missing and how specialised those skills are.
How this record was compiled
Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.