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Watch Maker Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Watch Maker information

See Wisconsin salary details

$10

$16

$24

How much do watch maker jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for watch maker in Wisconsin is $16.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.84 and $19.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a watch maker do?

A watch maker is a skilled craftsperson who designs, builds, repairs, and maintains watches and timepieces. Their work can involve assembling intricate mechanical movements, replacing parts, adjusting mechanisms for accurate timekeeping, and restoring antique or luxury watches. Watch makers use specialized tools and have a deep understanding of horology, the science of time measurement. Many work in repair shops, jewelry stores, or for luxury watch brands, and some may also create custom or bespoke watches.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a watch maker?

To thrive as a Watch Maker, you need strong mechanical aptitude, fine motor skills, and a formal qualification in horology or watchmaking. Familiarity with precision tools, lathes, timing machines, and certifications from organizations like the Swiss WOSTEP program or AWCI are highly valued. Patience, meticulous attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities set outstanding watchmakers apart. These skills are crucial for crafting, repairing, and maintaining high-quality timepieces that demand accuracy and reliability.

What are some common challenges faced by watch makers in modern workshops?

Watch makers often encounter the challenge of balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, as many workshops now integrate computerized tools alongside manual techniques. Precision and attention to detail are crucial, especially when working with tiny, delicate components that require steady hands and keen eyesight. Additionally, sourcing authentic or rare replacement parts for vintage watches can be difficult, demanding creative problem-solving and strong industry connections. Collaboration with fellow watch makers and specialists is also common, particularly when tackling complex repairs or custom timepieces.

What is the difference between Watch Maker vs Watch Repair Technician?

AspectWatch MakerWatch Repair Technician
CredentialsWatchmaking certification, horology degreesBasic watch repair certifications, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, luxury brands, custom designJewelry stores, repair shops, service centers
Industry UsageHigh-end watch brands, custom watch creationRetail jewelry stores, repair services

While both roles involve working with watches, a Watch Maker typically designs and constructs new watches, often requiring advanced horology skills and certifications. In contrast, a Watch Repair Technician focuses on repairing and maintaining existing watches, usually with less formal training. Both roles are essential in the watch industry but differ in scope and specialization.

Infographic showing various Watch Maker job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,768 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Assembler-NL Production - 3rd Shift

Manitowoc, WI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

The KDC/ONE team is made up of the best in the business. Our diverse and evolving workforce thrives in our environment of constant teamwork and collaboration. Join us today!
Job Title: Assembler
Reports To: Production Supervisor/Line Leader
Job category: Individual contributor ☒ Management ☐
Division: Scented & Living Solutions
Department: Production
Location: Manitowoc, WI
Description / Scope / Mission
To assist the Line Leader in the production of a quality product at specified quantities in a safe and cost-effective manner.
Key Responsibilities/ Accountabilities
  1. Check the correct identity, quality and appearance of materials, components, supplies and products. Checking correct identity, appearance, components and products is important to assure the correct product is in the correct bottle and/or box.
  2. Maintain established quality standards, reporting quality defects to the Line Leader to assure poor quality product is not going into the carton.
  3. Maintain a clean and neat work area. This is especially important for safety reasons. A clean and neat work area reduces the possibility of an accident.
  4. Follow all safety procedures.
  5. Execute special assignments required by Management.
  6. All responsibilities detailed below.

RESPONSIBILITIES BY LINE POSITION:
  1. Bottle Position
  1. Put bottles on line in a specified direction, watching for any noticeable defects. Must keep line full and watch for any bottles that fall over or get stuck on the track or filler.
  1. Know where start/stop buttons are for filler and capper.
  2. Make sure the bottles transfer on and off the filler.
  3. Make sure the cap hopper is full of caps.
  4. Dump bottles into bin and break down boxes if necessary.
  5. If line goes down, clean up immediate area before table work. If there is a jam-up on filler, bottle person helps Line Leader clean the filler and empty unusable containers.

*Must be lock out tag out to go inside the filler
  1. Cap/Spray Nozzle Placement
  1. Place spray nozzles and caps into/onto bottles and twist a couple times to set in place before torque machine.
  2. When the line goes down the person should clean up area (caps on floor, bottles that were pulled off the line), fill and open cap/sprayer boxes.
  1. Box Position
  1. Assemble boxes correctly and quickly so line will be full of boxes at all times.
  2. Box person will insert partitions if order requires partitions.
  3. Box person keeps watch on capper for jam-ups, tipped bottles, no caps and cocked caps. If any of these things occur, the box person should notify the Line Leader immediately and go to the problem area and assist the Line Leader. (Example: pick up bottles, take bottles with no caps off line, etc.)
  4. Box person should watch labeler for jam-ups. If they notice label rolls getting low, they should notify the Line Leader.
  5. When the line goes down, they are to clean their work area. (Example: extra cardboard or bad cartons/partitions to scrap box empty pallets off line.) Box person also helps do table work when necessary.
  6. Be ready to hit the emergency stop button if the line needs to be shut off.
  1. Middle Packer
  1. Middle packer packs bottles in boxes looking at every bottle per box for front and back labels and for codes.
  2. Helps person on boxes keep up on boxes or partitions.
  3. Person also can go and get boxes or partitions for box person.
  4. For heat seal product, check one or two caps to see if heat seal is good.
  5. Boxes are packed one-half full.
  6. When in the position of the box maker, keep watch on the capper and labeler for problems.
  1. End Packer
  1. End packer packs the remaining bottles into the boxes.
  2. If applicable, sprayers, caps, and MSDS sheets are packed into each box.
  3. Fold flaps down on boxes and push the filled box through the carton sealer.
  4. Need to keep an eye on the track at end of line in case it becomes full. Palletizer is notified.
  5. Watch for boxes going through taper in case they tip over.
  6. If there is a problem on lines end packer should hit emergency stop immediately.

MARGINAL JOB DUTIES:
  1. Emptying garbage cans.
  2. Sweeping.
  3. Washing tracks.

Education / Certification / Qualifications / Experience
  • High School, HSED preferred.

Experience:
  • None, helpful to have some factory experience.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:
  • None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
  • Walk; reach above shoulders; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl up to 1/3 of the time up to 48".
  • Stand (all 8 hours/10 hours of the shift or overtime as required); use hands to finger, handle or touch; and talk or hear 2/3 and more of the time.
  • Lift or force to be exerted up to 10 pounds 2/3 and more of the time.
  • Lift or force to be exerted up to 35 pounds 1/3 to 2/3 of the time, including pushing/pulling.
  • Dumping bottles, dumping a box of empty bottles into the hopper. Boxes are large and awkward - may have to lift overhead. Occasionally work up to 10 + feet.
  • Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).
  • Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more).

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT USED:
  • Hand taper and possibly safety knife 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PPE REQUIRED:
  • Exposure to various chemicals 2/3 and more of the time.
  • Work near moving mechanical parts 2/3 and more of the time.
  • Moderate noise level 2/3 of the time during normal line duties.
  • Loud noise level 1/3 of the time from running motors form surrounding machinery.
  • PPE is required on specific jobs and when PPE is required, the LOI will specify what is needed.

COMMENTS
Always know where the emergency stop buttons are, be aware of your surroundings. Be prepared for your next position on the job and know what the responsibilities are before you get there.