Starting A Clock Repair Business – Horology

Ever thought about starting a clock repair business? If you love clocks and are fascinated by old and new timepieces, this will be the ideal business for you.

You can turn your hobby into a business, and can finally set your own hours for work.

If you have a family to look after but need a second income as well, this business will give you the flexibility and the income that you need.

An expert clock repair mechanic can earn a full time income working just a few hours per week. Sounds good? Read on to know more about starting a clock repair business.

Starting A Clock Repair Business – First Steps
Not too many schools in the US offer a course in clock repair. This has both pros and cons. The good thing is you will not need a formal degree or any certification to start the business. The bad thing is that you do not have too many places to turn to should you need more training.
History Of The American Clock Business For The Past Sixty Years; And Life Of Chauncey Jerome (1860)
Apprenticeship with an established horologist may be the compromise needed.

Joining the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will help you to find someone who can teach you the nuts and bolts of the business. You should also find out more about purchasing and selling clocks. Many refurbished antique clocks sell well and can fetch high prices.

Decide on a niche. You can repair clock pieces that are modern, or work at antique clock repair – you can even add watch repair to your services to attract more customers.

Other services such as selling parts to amateur horologists and hobbyists and making hard-to-source clocks available to collectors can be additional sidelines worthy of investigation. Other than repair, you may also be asked to provide regular maintenance for some of the older or more expensive clocks.

Learn as much as possible about different models of clocks Sligh, Howard Miller, Emperor, Colonial and Fugit are some key brands to begin with. Clocks can be of many types grandfather, cuckoo, wall, shelf, and banjo are all common ones.

Horologists can work out of their homes, and as long as they have a dedicated corner to work and interact with customers in, there is no need for expensive retail space rented at $2 per square foot. However, a good location on a main street helps provide credibility to the business.

Providing a warranty on service will further increase your credibility.


House calls may be a necessary part of the business, as bulky grandfather clocks, for example, are difficult to transport. Have a kit ready for house calls so that you do not have to waste time hunting around for your only appropriate screwdriver or lens when you have to visit a customer.

Be open to having an online presence. You can advertise your services through a website and also buy and sell parts and clocks online.

Sourcing Parts
It is not always easy to find parts for old or antique clocks which are no longer manufactured. You can build contacts with antique dealers, clock stores, and small collectors to help with this. Many clock repair businesses custom manufacture parts for clocks. If funding is not a constraint, you can take up this option as well.

If you prefer a quiet business that lets you indulge in your passion without making too many demands on your time, starting a clock repair business may be just the thing for you.