A skilled craftsperson who designs, builds, and repairs clocks.
Compound of 'clock' and 'maker' (from Old English 'macian'), referring to a person whose profession is making clocks. This became a common surname in regions with strong clock-making traditions.
Clockmakers in Switzerland became so renowned that Swiss watches still dominate luxury markets today—they developed a culture of precision and craftsmanship so intense that flaws became shameful, creating generational standards of perfectionism.
Clockmaking was historically guilded male-dominated craft in Europe; women excluded from formal apprenticeships despite skilled horological work in homes and informal contexts.
Use 'clockmaker' as neutral term; acknowledge women clock-makers (e.g., Elizabeth Fromanteel, Mary Crosby) when referencing history.
["horologist","timepiece craftsperson"]
Women contributed significantly to early horology and miniaturization but were systematically excluded from guild recognition and patenting.
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