What Do Timing Device Assemblers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Timing Device Assemblers perform precision assembling, adjusting, or calibrating, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components. They also change timing weights on balance wheels to correct deficient timing.

Other tasks include:

• Assemble and install components of timepieces to complete mechanisms, using watchmakers’ tools and loupes.
• Adjust sizes or positioning of timepiece parts to achieve specified fit or function, using calipers, fixtures, and loupes.
• Observe operation of timepiece parts and subassemblies to determine accuracy of movement, and to diagnose causes of defects.
• Test operation and fit of timepiece parts and subassemblies, using electronic testing equipment, tweezers, watchmakers’ tools, and loupes.
• Mount hairsprings and balance wheel assemblies between jaws of truing calipers.
• Replace specified parts to repair malfunctioning timepieces, using watchmakers’ tools, loupes, and holding fixtures.

We asked Timing Device Assemblers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Timing Device Assemblers estimate spaces between collets and first inner coils to determine if spaces are within acceptable limits. They review blueprints, sketches, or work orders to gather information about tasks to be completed.

A typical day for a Timing Device Assembler and Adjuster will also include:

• Replace specified parts to repair malfunctioning timepieces, using watchmakers’ tools, loupes, and holding fixtures.
• Change timing weights on balance wheels to correct deficient timing.
• Bend parts, such as hairsprings, pallets, barrel covers, and bridges, to correct deficiencies in truing or endshake, using tweezers.
• Assemble and install components of timepieces to complete mechanisms, using watchmakers’ tools and loupes.
• Adjust sizes or positioning of timepiece parts to achieve specified fit or function, using calipers, fixtures, and loupes.

We asked some Timing Device Assemblers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	55% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	48% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	70% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	11% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	1% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	50% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Timing Device Assemblers also mount hairsprings and balance wheel assemblies between jaws of truing calipers. They may also clean and lubricate timepiece parts and assemblies, using solvents, buff sticks, and oil.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Timing Device Assemblers Disassemble timepieces such as watches, clocks, and chronometers so that repairs can be made. They might also Turn wheels of calipers and examine springs, using loupes, to determine if center coils appear as perfect circles.

In addition, they Tighten or replace loose jewels, using watchmakers’ tools.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Review blueprints, sketches, or work orders to gather information about tasks to be completed.

To some Timing Device Assemblers, it is also their responsibility to Change timing weights on balance wheels to correct deficient timing.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Timing Device Assembler and Adjuster, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/production/assemblers-and-fabricators.htm

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