Clockmakers were originally artisans who made clocks. I say originally, because most are now made by machine in factories, although a few are still made by clockmakers.

The term clockmaker first appeared around 1390. Clocks, at least mechanical ones, had already existed for about a century at that point. Up until around 1800, they were handmade by clockmakers. From the 1400s to the 1600s clockmakers were considered cutting edge artisans and extremely technically advanced. Some also built other precision instruments, for example for scientific use. A clockmaker in a single shop would produce each one including all its components. Nothing was mass produced or produced elsewhere. Starting approximately 1800, some parts were made in factories, although clocks were still design and produced by clockmakers. By the 1900s they were being mass produced in factories and parts were interchangeable. Clockmakers at this point were primarily involved in repair.

Today, clock makers are primarily involved in repair, very often antique clocks. A skilled clockmaker can actually reproduce any missing or broken piece without any directions or blueprint, a pretty amazing feat considering how complicated clocks, including antique ones, can be! Many mass produced clocks are very cheap however and essentially not worth fixing should they break.

Since clocks have existed for centuries, there are many antique ones which occasionally need repair, keeping clockmakers busy. Antique clocks of all type are popular, including grandfather clocks, cuckoo clocks, and mantel clocks, and can be very valuable. There is a thriving market in antique clocks, with some worth literally millions of dollars.