1. Tell me what do you find the most frustrating or difficult repair job or task?
Most frustrating is working on over-complex, poorly made/designed, old musical instruments etc. The kind I can't see the point in, but who's owners force us to service them, by threatening us with money.
2. Why do you want this job as Horologist?
Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don't? You probably should apply elsewhere.) First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., “I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem"), then share why you love the company (e.g., “I've always been passionate about education, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I want to be a part of it”).
Abraham Louis Breguet, 1747-1823. Horological genius and inventor, and one of the most famous watchmakers of all time. The name is also applied to a balance spring which has its outer coil raised above the body of the spring and curved inward.
Also known as a "water clock", an ancient Greek time-keeping device similar to an hour-glass, which used a regulated flow of water or mercury through a small aperture to mark the passage of time. It is said that the clepsydra was invented to limit the speaking time of Greek orators (public speakers), which means that the first clocks were really invented for the purpose of encouraging politicians to sit down and shut up!
Aaron Dennison was one of the "Fathers" of the American watch industry, and he invented several standards of measuring watches and mainsprings. The Dennison Gauge for watch sizes is based on a size A being 1" and for each additional size larger, you would add 1/16". The most common sizes were N (1 11/16), which is close to 18s and L (1 10/16), which is close to 16s. Used primarily by the E. Howard Watch Company (of which Dennison was a founder). Dennison Gauge is still used for the measurement of mainsprings for American pocket watches.
Poising a balance by measuring its errors ona timing machine while the watch is running in different positions. Dynamic poise compensates for the motion of the entire oscillating balance system.
Control Officile Suisse de Chronometers or Swiss Controle Officiel des Cronometres- the independent Swiss regulatory organization that rigorously tests and certifies (or fails) watch movements for chronometer status.
A thin steel tube with pinion leaves at its lower end and which carries the minute hand on its upper end. Provides a friction "clutch" with the center arbor when setting the watch.
Also called "mainspring barrel." Thin cylindrical "can" which holds the mainspring of a watch and provides the motive power to drive the gear-train, usually through the center wheel. See also "Motor Barrel" and "Going Barrel."
The act of heating and slowly cooling a metal in order to render it softer for the purpose of machining, or to relieve internal stress.
11. Explain me if you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews generally because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There's no wrong answer here, but you'll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say… ”
12. Tell me when did your interest in horology begin, and who or what inspired you?
I have always been fascinated by the concept of time. We know almost nothing about it, we do not know if it even exists. It is obviously not the 'fourth dimension' as it is so often called.
We can not measure it, we can not travel through it, we can not exert any control over it. All we can do is record its passing, with ever greater accuracy.
When young I restored a beautiful, non-working, antique pocket watch. English lever, barrel and fusee movement. Hand making broken components. It worked well until smashed by a jealous younger brother.
Around the same time I became interested in free pendulum clocks. Realising that they have greater potential accuracy.
13. Explain me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work, and how you dealt with it?
In asking this interview question, “your interviewer wants to get a sense of how you will respond to conflict. Anyone can seem nice and pleasant in a job interview, but what will happen if you're hired and Gladys in Compliance starts getting in your face?” says Skillings. Again, you'll want to use the S-T-A-R method, being sure to focus on how you handled the situation professionally and productively, and ideally closing with a happy ending, like how you came to a resolution or compromise.
14. Tell me what would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?
Start by explaining what you'd need to do to get ramped up. What information would you need? What parts of the company would you need to familiarize yourself with? What other employees would you want to sit down with? Next, choose a couple of areas where you think you can make meaningful contributions right away. (e.g., “I think a great starter project would be diving into your email marketing campaigns and setting up a tracking system for them.”) Sure, if you get the job, you (or your new employer) might decide there's a better starting place, but having an answer prepared will show the interviewer where you can add immediate impact-and that you're excited to get started.
A generic term used to refer to the band that holds a watch on your wrist. The preferred terms are bracelet and strap, which more clearly describe the two major types.
Used to indicate a smooth round or oval convex shaped polished gemstone. In watch terminology, it often describes a decorative stone set in the watch crown.
The force which holds the pallet against the banking pins. Draw results from the combined angles of the escape wheel teeth and the pallet-jewel locking faces.
The knob used to wind the watch and set the hands
Part of the case. The ring or "frame" that holds the crystal in place.
20. Explain me what's a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?
Everyone disagrees with the boss from time to time, but in asking this interview question, hiring managers want to know that you can do so in a productive, professional way. “You don't want to tell the story about the time when you disagreed but your boss was being a jerk and you just gave in to keep the peace. And you don't want to tell the one where you realized you were wrong,” says Peggy McKee of Career Confidential. “Tell the one where your actions made a positive difference on the outcome of the situation, whether it was a work-related outcome or a more effective and productive working relationship.”
21. Where do you see yourself in five years as Horologist?
If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you're considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn't necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It's OK to say that you're not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.
22. Tell me do you feel concerned about the future of the watch and clock industry and if so why?
I am not concerned about the future of the clock and watch making industry. Years ago many firms were having a hard time, partly due to the advent of cheaper, more accurate, quartz clocks and then watches.
Once LCDs came into use for watches, allowing long power cell life, the writing was on the wall for mechanical time-pieces at the low price end of the market.
The situation was compounded by the entry of far eastern countries into the equation. Their lower labour and material costs forced some European firms out of the market.
Some firms managed to maintain their position, by moving production over to electronic watch and clocks or creating a niche market for people able to afford higher priced mechanical time-pieces.
23. Explain me what other companies are you interviewing with?
Companies ask this for a number of reasons, from wanting to see what the competition is for you to sniffing out whether you're serious about the industry. “Often the best approach is to mention that you are exploring a number of other similar options in the company's industry,” says job search expert Alison Doyle. “It can be helpful to mention that a common characteristic of all the jobs you are applying to is the opportunity to apply some critical abilities and skills that you possess. For example, you might say 'I am applying for several positions with IT consulting firms where I can analyze client needs and translate them to development teams in order to find solutions to technology problems.'”
24. Tell us what type of work environment do you prefer?
Hint: Ideally one that's similar to the environment of the company you're applying to. Be specific.
Two pins, sometimes adjustable, which limit the side to side motion of the pallet fork. Adjusting the banking pin also controls the amount of slide of the escape tooth on the pallet jewel
