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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Structured curriculum

Watchmaking & Clockmaking Academy

A self-study curriculum in three tracks, arranged in the order they are meant to be read. Each lesson states its objectives up front, links its technical terms to the glossary, and — where the subject touches hands-on work — is explicit about the line between understanding a technique and being competent to perform it.

How to use this academy

Working through the curriculum

Read the tracks in order

Beginner lessons build the vocabulary and mental model that the Intermediate and Advanced tracks assume. Within a track, lessons are numbered and generally build on the one before, so work through each level in order the first time rather than skipping to a topic of interest.

Use the interactive tools

Several lessons reference the site's interactive components — the Anatomy Explorer, Gear Train Simulator and Escapement Animation — as a way to connect prose explanations to visible mechanical motion. They are linked from the relevant lesson and also gathered together on the Diagrams and Tools hubs.

Follow the cross-references

Every lesson links its key terms to the glossary and its related mechanisms, components and other lessons at the foot of the page. Following these links, rather than skimming past an unfamiliar term, is the most useful single study habit for this material.

Respect the safety notes

Where a lesson could be misread as an invitation to open or adjust a watch unsupervised, it says so explicitly. Understanding a procedure is a prerequisite for supervised training — it is not, by itself, licence to work on a client's watch or an inherited antique.

Track

Beginner track

Foundational theory: what horology studies, how a mechanical watch works, the parts of a movement, terminology, and how to read and recognise a movement without touching it.

  1. 01What Is Horology?The scope of horology as a field of study, craft and collecting.20 min
  2. 02How a Mechanical Watch WorksThe energy chain from mainspring to hands, in outline.30 min
  3. 03Parts of a MovementA component-by-component tour of a typical watch movement.35 min
  4. 04Basic TerminologyThe core vocabulary used throughout this site and the trade.25 min
  5. 05Reading a MovementHow to inspect an opened case-back and interpret what you see, without touching anything.30 min
  6. 06Identifying EscapementsVisual identification of the verge, cylinder, lever and deadbeat escapements.30 min
  7. 07Bench Setup and ToolsThe watchmaker's bench, its lighting and layout, and the core hand tools, named and explained.30 min
  8. 08Handling and HygieneWhy cleanliness, static control and correct handling protect a movement before any tool is even picked up.20 min

Track

Intermediate track

Bench practice and diagnosis: disassembly sequence, cleaning, lubrication, gear trains, escapement adjustment, balance systems and fault-finding — framed as study of technique, not a substitute for supervised training.

  1. 09DisassemblyThe logical sequence and reasoning behind stripping a lever movement.40 min
  2. 10CleaningWhy movements are cleaned, what the process involves, and its risks.30 min
  3. 11LubricationWhy different points of a movement need different oils, and in what quantity.30 min
  4. 12Gear TrainsRatios, torque and the reasoning behind a going train's design.35 min
  5. 13Escapement AdjustmentWhat 'adjusting the escapement' means in a lever watch, and why tolerances are so tight.40 min
  6. 14Balance SystemsBalance types, hairsprings, poise and their effect on rate.35 min
  7. 15Fault DiagnosisA structured way to reason about why a watch has stopped or is running poorly.35 min
  8. 16Letdown of the MainspringWhy and how stored spring energy is safely discharged before a movement is opened.25 min
  9. 17Case Opening Techniques by Case TypeHow screw-back, snap-back, case-back-and-bezel, and one-piece cases differ in how they are opened.30 min
  10. 18Hand and Dial RemovalRemoving hands and dial without marring the dial surface or bending delicate hand pivots.25 min
  11. 19Oil Selection by PointWhy different points in a movement receive different lubricants, and the reasoning behind each choice.30 min
  12. 20Reassembly and Train Freedom ChecksRebuilding the going train correctly and confirming it turns freely before power is restored.30 min
  13. 21Mainspring Selection and Barrel WorkChoosing a correct replacement mainspring and servicing the barrel that houses it.35 min
  14. 22Jewel and Bushing WorkHow worn pivot holes are identified, and the difference between rejewelling and bushing.35 min
  15. 23Pivot Polishing and BurnishingRestoring a pivot's surface and geometry without removing more material than necessary.30 min
  16. 24Balance Staff Replacement and Hairspring HandlingReplacing a broken balance staff and the closely related skills of truing, centring and overcoil handling.40 min
  17. 25Poising and Static and Dynamic BalanceWhy a balance wheel must be poised, and the distinction between static and dynamic poise.30 min
  18. 26Escapement Geometry Checks and Beat SettingDrop, lock, slide and run to the banking pins, and how a watch is set 'in beat'.40 min
  19. 27Timing Machine Interpretation and Positional RegulationReading a timing machine's trace and using it to regulate a watch across positions and, separately, temperature.35 min
  20. 28Fault Diagnosis FlowchartsStructured diagnostic reasoning for stopping, low amplitude, poor positional rates, and knocking.35 min
  21. 29Keyless Works and Stem-Wind FaultsHow the winding-and-setting mechanism works, and the common faults that cause winding or hand-setting to fail.30 min
  22. 30Fusee and Chain WorkServicing considerations specific to fusee-and-chain movements, building on the historical outline given earlier.30 min
  23. 31Clock Trains: Pendulum, Weights and StrikingPendulum suspension and beat, weight lines and pulleys, and how striking and chiming trains are set up.45 min
  24. 32Documentation and Record-Keeping for a ServiceWhy a thorough service is documented in writing and photographs, and what a good service record contains.20 min

Track

Advanced track

Design, theory and craft: movement design, escapement theory, precision regulation, historical construction methods, complications and traditional hand finishing.

  1. 33Movement DesignHow a calibre is designed: constraints, trade-offs and the design process in outline.45 min
  2. 34Escapement TheoryThe physics of impulse, locking and detachment that distinguishes escapement families.45 min
  3. 35Precision RegulationPositional adjustment, temperature compensation and free-sprung regulation.40 min
  4. 36Historical Construction MethodsHow movements were made before industrial standardisation, and what that leaves behind for identification.40 min
  5. 37Complication MechanismsHow calendar, chronograph and repeating mechanisms interface with the going train.45 min
  6. 38Restoration TechniqueConservation-minded decision-making for antique and historically significant movements.40 min
  7. 39Traditional Hand FinishingDecorative and functional hand-finishing techniques used on fine movements.40 min
  8. 40Dial and Case ConservationConservation-minded treatment of dials and cases, and why refinishing is generally avoided.35 min
  9. 41Complication ServicingWhy servicing a complication is a distinct, higher-risk undertaking than servicing a time-only movement.40 min