Buzz
Welcome to ‘How I Became,’ a Mytour series where I dive into the stories behind real people’s careers. This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Matt Chapman, a contemporary watchmaker. The technical term for his craft is ‘horologist,’ which refers to someone dedicated to the intricate art of designing and crafting timepieces, whether watches or clocks.
After spending years immersed in the world of advertising, staring at screens in high-pressure environments, Chapman made the bold decision to leave his desk job behind and step into the world of watchmaking. Now, he channels his passion into restoring and bringing watches to life. Here’s the story of how this former creative director transitioned into a watchmaker, and how you could follow a similar journey.
Turning Passion into a Profession
Chapman had been toying with watches for quite some time, but like many others who found themselves with extra time during the pandemic, COVID-19 became the pivotal moment that inspired a career change. Realizing he was spending more time adjusting watches than focusing on his day job as an art director, he thought, 'Maybe it's time to make watchmaking my career.'
His initial foray into watch repair was driven by necessity ('I need to fix this watch') and a bit of boldness ('Could I fix it myself?'). Without any formal education, Chapman has managed to carve out a career as a self-taught watchmaker. His knowledge mainly comes from YouTube tutorials, diving into online forums, and a lot of hands-on trial and error. He’s especially drawn to chronographs, which are watches that function both as stopwatches and regular timepieces, featuring intricate movements that are 'extremely complex' compared to a standard watch.
Chapman recalls that the first time he dismantled a watch was nerve-wracking—'like jumping off a bungee platform.' But as he successfully repaired more watches, his confidence grew. 'The only way to do anything right is to do it the right way,' Chapman says. Servicing a watch means taking it apart entirely, cleaning every part, and carefully reassembling it.
For those aspiring to follow a more classical path in watchmaking, there are apprenticeships and formal watchmaking schools. To secure an apprenticeship, one must be proactive—doing research and putting yourself out there. Since many independent watchmakers do not work within established companies, you might need to be adaptable and maintain a flexible schedule to work around the watchmaker's availability, which often fluctuates between projects.
Earning a living as a watchmaker
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for watchmakers is around $45,290. However, Chapman offers a bit more context, explaining that the financial side of watchmaking can vary significantly depending on the specific watch being worked on.
For instance, Chapman shares that he might purchase a broken watch for $1,000, and then spend a few hundred dollars more on replacement parts. Once he completes the restoration, the watch is typically worth around $2,500. He tends to focus on watches in the $2,000-$3,000 range, calling it the 'sweet spot' that keeps his repair business sustainable.
Of course, the high-end watch experts can earn significantly more. Chapman notes that he’s seen broken Rolex watches valued at over $10,000, and after restoration, these pieces can easily fetch $50,000 or more.
Being your own boss
One of the perks of self-employment is having control over your own schedule. Chapman tends to get absorbed in his work, often continuing into the late hours of the night. However, other watchmakers may choose to stick to a more traditional 9-to-5 workday.
Chapman reveals that when many watchmakers start their journey, they spend far more time crawling on the floor than they do sitting at a desk. Essentially, much of the work involves searching for minuscule springs and screws that seem to escape your grasp the moment you look away. Whether or not he manages to find that elusive tiny spring is part of the ‘madness and fascination’ that fuels Chapman’s love for the craft. Watchmaking demands thoroughness, precision, and painstaking attention to detail...and that’s why, when a watch finally comes to life in your hands, there’s nothing that compares to the feeling.
How to plan your ultimate escape
When Chapman first entered the advertising world, his job was all about “coming up with ideas.” It was a tangible and hands-on role—one you could see, touch, and experience. His office consisted of a pad of paper, a marker, a phone—and not a computer in sight. Over the decades since, digital technology has taken over the industry.
A significant part of Chapman’s decision to leave his advertising career for watch repair was about ‘escaping the screen.’ That’s the first part of the dual meaning behind the name of his vintage watch restoration business, The Great Escapement. The second meaning refers to the ‘escapement’ in a watch—the mechanism that makes it tick. Escaping one world to follow what makes you tick... Chapman’s shop name, needless to say, carries a rich metaphorical weight.
Chapman believes that the key to making such a career shift is not to base your decision solely on financial gain. Of course, you need to make sure you can meet your basic needs—but if you’re truly passionate about something, there’s always a way to make it work.
Chapman acknowledges that the initial leap was quite intimidating. One financial decision he made early on was selling off his own watch collection. This move provided the capital needed to purchase more broken watches, setting the stage for a steady stream of inventory. While luck certainly plays a role in pursuing any passion, it’s equally important not to overlook the significance of thorough research and making well-informed choices.
Chapman says he’s often asked, “How do you remember where all the parts go?” His answer is always the same: “I don’t need to remember where they go. If you understand what the part does, there’s only one place it can fit!” And if you truly know what you’re meant to do, there’s also only one path for you to take.
