Watchmaker

Role and Skills of a Watchmaker

• Artisan who makes and repairs watches
• Originally built watches by hand, including all parts
• Majority now only repair watches due to factory-made production
• Requires fabrication skills to manufacture replacement parts
• Clockmaker refers to an equivalent occupation specializing in clocks

Training of Watchmakers

• Historically underwent a seven-year apprenticeship and joined a guild
• Modern training courses offered by organizations like BHI and WOSTEP
• US watchmaking schools focus on both modern and older watches
• Danish apprenticeship lasts four years, covering clocks and watches
• France offers diplomas in horology, ranging from two to four years

Watchmaker as a Metaphor

• William Paley used the watchmaker analogy to imply the existence of God
• Richard Dawkins applied the analogy to argue that evolution is blind
• Metaphor utilized in Alan Moore's graphic novel 'Watchmen'
• Watchmaker profession associated with the villain Sylar in the TV series 'Heroes'
• Watchmakers portrayed as a sub-species in the novel 'The Mote in God's Eye'

Watchmakers in Popular Culture

• Watchmaker metaphor central to the backstory of Dr. Manhattan in 'Watchmen'
• Villain Sylar in 'Heroes' is a watchmaker with the ability to gain superpowers
• Watchmakers depicted as a sub-species in the novel 'The Mote in God's Eye'
• Pierce Brosnan plays a watchmaker-turned-professional killer in the film 'Survivor'
• Watchmakers play a role in various forms of media, showcasing their precision skills

References and Resources

• 'The Watch Repairer's Manual' by Henry B. Fried
• 'How to Make a Verge Watch' by Ferdinand Berthoud and Jacob Auch
• 'Practical Watchmaking' by Vigniaux
• Additional references and resources can be found on external websites
• Wikimedia Commons has a collection of media related to watchmakers

Watchmaker Data Sources