FOI reference: FOI-2026-3503
You asked
What is the percentage of employed female watchmakers and female clockmakers in the United Kingdom and British Crown Dependencies?
We said
Thank you for your request.
We estimate the number of people working in different occupations and by sex using the Annual Population Survey (APS), based on interviews with people resident in households in the UK.
The survey in general only covers the UK. We do not produce or hold statistics for the British Crown Dependencies.
Occupations are classified in line with the Standard Occupational Classification 2020 (SOC2020). Under this classification, both watch and clock makers would be classified to 5224 – precision instrument makers and repairers. This occupation group includes both horologists and watch-makers, but additionally covers other precision instrument occupations such as optical technicians, calibration engineers and instrument technicians.
We publish a breakdown of employment by occupation and sex every quarter on our Nomis website.
According to the APS, in the twelve-month period January to December 2025, the latest data available, there were an estimated 1,200 women working in occupation 5224 – precision instrument makers and repairers, resident in the UK. This makes up around 8.5% of people in the total occupation group.