This course provides an overview of horology as applied to single-train and two-train clocks. It is intended for those BHI members who are not in the trade and do not wish to follow the DLC but desire to gain sufficient practical skills and knowledge to service and maintain their own collection.

Recommended for those who have completed the BHI skills courses (HMSS and SLSD) or who have competence in hand and machine metalworking. Includes an introduction to the concept of micro mechanics.

Students will attain the competencies to exam standard in precision filing, hand drilling, turning, fitting, cutting threads and finishing components to specific tolerances. Includes an overview of the care and maintenance of the watchmakers’ lathe.

Includes practical exercises suitable for Level 3 Clock and Watch Exam Unit D2.

Applying the lessons learned from earlier courses to continue development of knowledge and skills to service a Single Train Clock.

Correct faults and service a single train clock to exam standards. Includes servicing preparation for Level 3 Exam Unit D3 Clock.

Mechanical & Electrical checks & tests. Fault finding and servicing to specific mechanical, electronic, quality controls to industry standards and tolerances (‘electronic tolerances’ are power consumption, resistance and voltage).

This course will further develop and improve skills to an acceptable exam standard. Including the adjustment and fitting of a winding stem. Includes practical preparation for Level 3 Clock and Watch Exam Unit D4 Level 3 Clock and Watch.

Hand turning skills for watch & clockmakers. Introduces the concept micro mechanics.

Introduction to the techniques necessary to make balance staffs, winding stems and other small components. An important skill set for those repairing and restoring clocks and watches.

Includes preparation for Exam Units D5, D7, D9, D10, D13, D14, D19.

Essential skills for repair, restoration and finishing techniques for all watch and clockmakers.

Steel preparation, heat treatment, finishing and blueing components. Understanding the characteristics of different types of brass including tools and equipment required to cut and polish maintaining sharp edges when polishing. Use of burnisher and lacquering. Removal of old silver, wax and refinishing and silvering techniques and lacquering. Includes preparation for Exam Units D5, D7, D9, D10, D13, D14, D19.

Making precision components to a high level of accuracy, combining lathe work, hand finishing and fitting skills.

Working to close tolerances, producing complex shapes in metals. Builds on skills developed in L3MSC for Level 3 exam. First part in the Clock Workshop, second part in the Watch Workshop. Includes preparation for Exam Unit D5.

Step by step guidance to the design, fabrication, fitting and finishing of a recoil pallet.

Introduces techniques to achieve a high standard piece, within tolerances.

Includes preparation for Exam Unit D8.

Step by step instructions for servicing a two-train striking clock movement.

Fault identification, assessment of repair options, servicing, setting up the striking train and calculating the length of the pendulum.

Includes preparation for Exam Unit D9 and applies to D10 and D13.

Step by step instructions for the servicing of a manual winding watch to retail standards.

Fault identification, replacing components, servicing, confirming timekeeping tolerances and quality control checks to industry standards. Includes preparation for Exam Units D14, D15, D17, D19.

Step by step instructions for the servicing of an automatic winding watch to retail standards.

Fault identification and servicing including timekeeping tolerances and quality control checks to industry standards. Prior attendance on the L4/5MWW is recommended or equivalent experience.

Includes preparation for Exam Units D14, D16, D17, D19.

Essential for making wheels and pinions for the train wheels in modern clocks.

Theory of gears, calculation of trains and depthing a wheel and pinion. Module selection of wheel and pinion cutters. Use of dividing heads, wheel cutting engines, lathe and milling machines.

Includes preparation for Exam Units D7, D10 and specifically for making significant components for Exam Unit D13.

A step by step instruction and exercises in the design of a suitable fly cutter to make a specified dead-beat escapement including finishing. Relevant to micro mechanics skills development.

Techniques to achieve a high standards within tolerances. Making fly cutters, cutting escape wheels. Using dividing heads on lathes & milling attachments. Making a deadbeat pallet. Students are advised to have previously attended course L4/5MWP which introduces the skills, techniques and theory.

Includes preparation for Exam Unit D12.

The sympathetic repair of Antique Clocks and historically important Timepieces.

Correct approach to artefacts regarding methods of repair, restoration and conservation. Disassembling and assembling procedures. How to make parts including replacing broken pivots. Safe cleaning methods.

Includes preparation for Exam Units D7, D9, D10 and especially D13.

This course requires a high level of manual dexterity using small hand tools including the use of microscopes when making adjustments and carrying out repairs on these small and complex components.

The operation, repair, adjustment of cylinder and lever escapements including their platforms. Relevant to Exam Units D7, D10 – important for Exam Unit D13 Clock Portfolio.

Covers the more complex repairs necessary for Exam Units D14, D17 and Unit D19.

Fault finding and servicing to specific timekeeping tolerances, quality controls to industry standards.

Due to the high value of these movements access is restricted to those who have passed exam unit D16 or have successfully completed BHI Courses L4/5MWW and L4/5AWW. Those with proven industry experience may also be admitted to the course.

Includes preparation for Exam Unit D20 chronograph watch.

The course builds on previous courses on the making of small components. Using the watch makers lathe, the Jacot tool, gravers and similar small hand tools.

The Balance Staff and Winding Stem are, perhaps, the most common items made and fitted to older watches.

Making significant components are a requirement for the clock and watch portfolios – Exam Units D13 and D19.

The course draws together skills learned on previous courses featuring the watchmakers lathe. This course further develops micro mechanics by combining close tolerance lathe work, precision filing, fine thread cutting and polishing.

Like the Balance Staff, the Winding Stem is, perhaps, one of the most common and necessary items made and fitted to older watches. At the end of the course, you will be able to produce and fit a high precision component.

Practice making significant components relevant to Exam Unit D19 – the Watch Portfolio.

Fine adjustment of the escapement to establish precise timekeeping to “as new” condition all to manufacturers original specification.

Due to the high value of these movements access is restricted to those who have passed exam unit D16 and D20 or have successfully completed BHI Courses L4/5MWW, L4/5AWW and L4/5CWSC. Those with proven industry experience may also be admitted to the course.

This is a DLC Level 5 course for those who are working on their Portfolio.

The techniques for refinishing a watch case.

This is a new DLC Level 5 DLC course for those who are working on their Portfolio and in response to suggestions from our industry partners. Further details and dates will be published towards the end of the year.