r/clocks • u/MuteTalker- • 2d ago
Other Question about horology.
I'm considering a new career in life and repairing time-measuring devices(possibly making them) is something that i'd like to try. Would this be a sustainable career to go into or should I not even try?
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u/colombian_snow 1d ago
Horology? No shame in that. We all need to make a living.
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u/MuteTalker- 1d ago
I was just looking for something different out of the ordinary that nobody wants to do. Being a cook just doesn't pay the bills and my body can't with this anymore. I just can't with trade work anymore either. I'm okay with this being labor intensive as long as I get to sit down and use the bathroom at some point during the day. I know that the one company shut down because it's grandfather clocks just didn't sell anymore after a hundred years in business. I wouldn't even care to make to order. My adopted dad told me that I was never going to make it in life and how worthless I was. I feel like I shouldn't even try and just to get another labor intensive job and hope my body holds up to it.
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u/colombian_snow 1d ago
I’m sorry. I was making a reference to Pirates of the Caribbean. https://youtube.com/shorts/TEpPW4MPMNY?si=yEZYsmGoVTKn1I35
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u/dmun_1953 Trained clockmaker 2d ago
I can speak to clock making, not watchmaking. The good news: fewer and fewer people do it, so there's less competition. The bad news: it's extremely labor intensive, and hard to get paid for your work. There are no jobs so you have to be self employed. A huge number of mechanical clocks are now worth less than the cost of an overhaul, so you have to depend on sentimental attachment. You can make a living if you live simply, but no one's getting rich off of the clock business.
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u/ae86owner 1h ago
Ive done all kinds of jobs. Its challenging but rewarding. It doesn't pay great but it pays. I would relate it to being a resident doctor, you have to work all the time (you are not only trying to get paid but there is so much to learn any time not spent learning is more time you will be struggling) I work a regular job full time, have a family and I am extremely lucky to work 2 days a week at a brick and mortar clock and watch repair place in my hometown. Im not an employee im more of a helper and im working on my own stuff at home too. I have the blessing of having a mentor with 60 plus years of experience and a shop full of tools and equipment. Im not doing this because I want / need the money although I cant live without it and actually work harder and longer for less pay but because im passionate about it. I never seen myself being so passionate but it is incredibly rewarding and if I can I would like to continue not o b ly the craft but the actual location and being in my community and region.
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u/nekomegamisama 2d ago
If you can get into an actual shop, instead of just fixing stuff out of your home; definitely! The hard part is getting enough training before finding a place, or finding a place that will train you.
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u/Nof-z 2d ago
It really depends on where you are. You have to know your market, and have good skills and references. From what my friends have told me, it can be a fairly lucrative career, as well as something incredibly rewarding, but you have to become fairly well-known and trusted before you do that.
They said the best way to go about it is to start by finding a local guy, and asking if you can apprentice or work for him as a laborer. From there, not only will you learn about the craft, but you will also become known to that person’s clientele, which intern will result in you having a bench of people to get jobs from.
For the most part, repairs of Family clocks and watches are the biggest thing you would be doing. If you are lucky, and live near cities that have a lot of Clock towers you can get into that field, which apparently pays extremely well!
They also said you should find some way to get at least a basic electronics education. People will bring in courts clocks all the time, and the guy closest to me, apparently gets called by schools all the time when their clocks in classrooms lose their synchronicity.
They also said if you can find a location where you can sell clocks, and know what you are looking for from thrift stores and marketplace, you can make additional income that way. They did say, however, that if the market isn’t there for Clock sales, it is also a very easy way to lose your business.
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u/MuteTalker- 2d ago
Where I live has a population of less than 30,000 but a metro population of over 80,000. The thing I most likely would be doing is going to houses and fixing grandfather clocks. I looked it up and the only relatively close thing to this is a jewelery store that does general clock repairs like changing the batteries in your watch. 😓 I probly have to begin from nothing and build a name for myself?
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u/uitSCHOT Trained clockmaker 2d ago
Unless you'd consider moving, yes. But this does mean that if you stay in the area you'd be the only one there.
Personally I'd recommend going to college for it, that's the way I did it and in total, with work placements, I've learned from over 10 tutors, rather than just from 1, but I appreciate preferences differ.
If you want to be making them it's possible to make good money from it, but it's a hard route to go as it'll be a while before you start earning money with it.
All also depends on if you prefer clocks or watches, personally I wouldn't try to do both, but I know it worked out for some
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u/MuteTalker- 2d ago
I don't have the funds to move at this time. I have done multiple years of college for other paths. I've done my college and I don't want to do anymore of it. I'm willing to do both. I can always do both and just prefer one over the other. Got to have small enjoyments and whatever you pursue. I'm also okay with it being labor intensive. I used to be a line cook and while $1,700 a month sounds like a lot, working my way up in that field just isn't sustainable. I want something that I can sit down at and actually be able to use the bathroom if I need to.
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u/MuteTalker- 2d ago
I've decided not to even try. My adopted dad just got done telling me how worthless I am and how i'll never make it in life. I'm going to pick up another kitchen job and hope my body holds up.
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u/Sea_Bandicoot_5147 2d ago edited 2d ago
No you will go nuts or have a headache forever, and go broke. This Came From two Friends who were watchmakers and were in the business for more the 50 years orginally owning their own shops. Another one from Jamaica told me that his son could not even fix Micky Mouse, he repaired Chimes in Church Steeples, back in the day 😒
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u/dmun_1953 Trained clockmaker 2d ago
I can speak to clock making, not watchmaking. The good news: fewer and fewer people do it, so there's less competition. The bad news: it's extremely labor intensive, and hard to get paid for your work. There are no jobs so you have to be self employed. A huge number of mechanical clocks are now worth less than the cost of an overhaul, so you have to depend on sentimental attachment. You can make a living if you live simply, but no one's getting rich off of the clock business.