Watch and Clock Repairers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

O*NET-SOC code: 49-9064.00

Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.21
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

15 rated tasks · 4 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (26.7%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Record quantities and types of timepieces repaired, serial and model numbers of items, work performed, and charges for repairs. O*NET Task ID 14985	1.0
Gather information from customers about a timepiece's problems and its service history. O*NET Task ID 14986	1.0
Estimate repair costs and timepiece values. O*NET Task ID 14982	0.5
Order supplies, including replacement parts, for timing instruments. O*NET Task ID 21084	0.5
Oil moving parts of timepieces. O*NET Task ID 14975	0.0
Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools. O*NET Task ID 14976	0.0
Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines. O*NET Task ID 14977	0.0
Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes. O*NET Task ID 14978	0.0
Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers. O*NET Task ID 14979	0.0
Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments. O*NET Task ID 14980	0.0
Fabricate parts for watches and clocks, using small lathes and other machines. O*NET Task ID 14981	0.0
Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands. O*NET Task ID 14983	0.0
Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers. O*NET Task ID 14984	0.0
Test and replace batteries and other electronic components. O*NET Task ID 14987	0.0
Demagnetize mechanisms, using demagnetizing machines. O*NET Task ID 14988	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (15)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Oil moving parts of timepieces.	Core
Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.	Core
Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.	Core
Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.	Core
Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.	Core
Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.	Core
Fabricate parts for watches and clocks, using small lathes and other machines.	Core
Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.	Core
Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands.	Core
Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.	Core
Record quantities and types of timepieces repaired, serial and model numbers of items, work performed, and charges for repairs.	Core
Gather information from customers about a timepiece's problems and its service history.	Core
Test and replace batteries and other electronic components.	Core
Demagnetize mechanisms, using demagnetizing machines.	Core
Order supplies, including replacement parts, for timing instruments.	Core

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

0.38/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Oil moving parts of timepieces.	E0 none
Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.	E0 none
Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.	E0 none
Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Fabricate parts for watches and clocks, using small lathes and other machines.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands.	E0 none
Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Test and replace batteries and other electronic components.	E0 none
Demagnetize mechanisms, using demagnetizing machines.	E1 purpose-built robot settings

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 1K
Projected employment, 2035: 1K
Change (2025–35): -0.3%
Median annual wage, 2025: $67,230
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
76196	시계 및 카메라 수리원	This occupation is narrower	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 7311Precision-instrument Makers and Repairers

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

watch and clock repairerESCO 7311.6Same scope
Watch and clock repairers maintain and repair wristwatches and clocks. They identify defects, change batteries, fit new straps, oil and replace damaged parts. They may also restore antique clocks.
clock and watchmakerESCO 7311.1Overlapping, not the same
Clock and watchmakers make mechanical or electronic clocks and watches. They use precision hand tools or automated machinery to assemble the timing devices. Clock and watchmakers may also repair clocks or watches. They can work in workshops or in factories.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
B1604	Horloger / Horlogère	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
B1616	Opérateur / Opératrice en horlogerie	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
7611	Relojeros y mecánicos de instrumentos de precisión	This occupation is narrowerprovisional

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
24532	Berufe im Uhrmacherhandwerk - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	Same scope
24533	Berufe im Uhrmacherhandwerk - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten	This occupation is broaderprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
555	計量計測機器・光学機械器具整備・修理従事者	This occupation is narrowerprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources