How I Became An Horologist

By Richard Scorey

Are you interested in a career as an horologist? If so, then my story may be of interest…

In 1994, at the age of 23 I was travelling in Canada and came across the Steam Clock in Vancouver. I was inspired; I decided that on my return to England I would find out how to work with clocks…to become an Horologist.

Becoming an horology apprentice or a student

I initially searched for an opportunity as an apprentice so that I could be trained on the job by an existing business. However, there were very few businesses that are able to support apprenticeships so my search was unsuccessful. I decided to look at full-time courses. At the time there were three colleges offering horology courses in England: in Birmingham, Hackney and Manchester (the latter two no longer exist). I selected the University of Central England in Birmingham (now Birmingham City University). It was a great experience…

Qualifying as a Graduate Member of the British Horological Institute

The course was delivered by the School of Jewellery in the heart of Birmingham’s famous jewellery quarter and offered exceptional facilities. The three year, full-time course in ‘Technical Horology’ (www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/horology) followed the British Horological Institute’s (www.bhi.co.uk/education) curriculum.

The course covered the theory of both clocks and watches, their mechanisms, how they’ve developed over time, their makers and related history. The hands-on practical work covered all aspects of maintaining, repairing and making parts for clocks and watches.

In my first year, I developed essential hand skills and became accustomed to using the horological tools of the trade such as the lathe, turns, drilling machines and jewelling tools in order to produce projects to very fine tolerances. There were lectures in the general theory of horology and technical drawing. At the end of the year there were the much feared examinations. The exams included theory, technical drawing and making a clock or watch part from scratch within a set time; we followed a drawing and were marked based on how close we were to the actual size, the quality of the finish and if it worked as it should.

The second year followed the same syllabus but in more detail and at a higher level, it differed only in that I submitted a portfolio of repairs to clocks and watches at the end of the year that contributed to my examination results.

In my third year I had to decide which area of horology to specialise in, clocks or watches, I chose clocks. There was more theory, technical drawing and practical work. I produced a portfolio of clock repairs that incorporated set tasks such as making a set of pallets, wheel or pinion cutting and re-pivoting; this was followed by the obligatory exams.

In 1998 I graduated as a Graduate Member of the British Horological Institute.

Work experience and my progression to a Professional Member of the British Horological Institute
In my final year of study I was fortunate to find work experience at The Clock-Work-Shop in Winchester, my home town. I made some great contacts, and it provided me with invaluable insight about working as a clock-repairer. After graduating The Clock-Work-Shop offered me a job. For twelve years I have developed my hand-work skills, significantly, increased my general knowledge about clocks and the trade and have met some fantastic people. In 2009 I was accepted as a Professional Member of the British Horological Institute.

Some top facts about training to be an Horologist:-

The ‘Technical Horology’ course is still offered by Birmigham City University as a full time three year course. They also offer a distance learning course.