Watchmaking

Watchmaking is a craft trade (field No. 17 of Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act) covering the manufacture, assembly, adjustment and repair of mechanical, electromechanical and electronic clocks and watches. To carry it on, you must meet the general conditions under Sections 6 and 8 and document your professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Section 6 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record (medical fitness is not required for this trade). Any obstacles to carrying on the trade (e.g. in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency) are governed by Section 8.

Professional qualification under Section 21 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. – one of the following options:
- a certificate of due completion of secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education;
- a certificate of due completion of secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in the relevant field of education or with vocational-training subjects;
- a certificate of due completion of higher professional education in the relevant field of education;
- a certificate of due completion of university education in the relevant area of study programmes;
- a certificate of recognition of professional qualification issued by the recognising authority;
- a certificate of verification or recognition of a full qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

Substitute professional qualification under Section 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.:
- an apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, higher professional diploma or university degree in a related field + 1 year of practice in the field;
- a certificate of due completion of retraining for the relevant occupation + 1 year of practice in the field;
- 6 years of practice in the field (without a certificate of education).

The qualification may also be documented through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act; a single person may act as a responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

Examples of activities

Manufacture and assembly of mechanical and electronic watches and clocks
Repairs and full cleaning of wristwatch and pocket-watch movements
Adjusting, lubricating and calibrating clock and watch movements
Replacement of batteries, crystals, straps and seals
Servicing and renovation of wall, mantel and tower clocks
Diagnostics and repair of electromechanical and quartz movements
Manufacture and repair of individual movement parts using fine-mechanics techniques
Restoration of historical and antique clocks

What this trade is and what it is for

Watchmaking is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.) as field of activity No. 17. It entitles you to do business in the manufacture, assembly, adjustment, diagnostics and repair of clocks and watches. This includes mechanical, electromechanical and electronic (quartz) timekeeping instruments – from wristwatches and pocket watches through wall and mantel clocks to large tower mechanisms.

The trade is intended for craftspeople who wish to provide watchmaking services to customers legally, run a workshop or repair shop, or manufacture and assemble clock and watch movements. Because it is a craft trade, the law requires a documented professional qualification.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

Watchmaking covers in particular the manufacture, assembly and completion of clocks and watches, their adjustment, lubrication, cleaning, testing and calibration of movements, as well as the diagnostics and repair of mechanical, electromechanical and electronic movements and the manufacture or repair of individual parts using fine-mechanics techniques – manual or machine machining. It also includes routine servicing such as the replacement of batteries, crystals, straps and seals.

The boundaries with neighbouring trades:

The manufacture and repair of jewellery and articles made of precious metals fall under the separate craft trade "Goldsmithing and jewellery" (field No. 18), not under watchmaking.
The mere retail sale of watches without their repair and servicing may be carried on under an unqualified (free) trade (the field "Wholesale and retail").
Working with precious metals and stones is additionally subject to hallmarking regulations.

If you are unsure how to classify a particular activity, contact the Trade Licensing Office.

Conditions for obtaining it under the law

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act – full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required for this trade. Specific obstacles to carrying on the trade (for example in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency) are addressed by Section 8.

A professional qualification under Section 21 is also required – that is, one of the following documents: an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education, a school-leaving examination in the relevant field (or one including vocational-training subjects), a higher professional or university diploma in the relevant area, a certificate of recognition of professional qualification issued by the recognising authority, or a certificate of verification or recognition of a full qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

If you do not hold the documents under Section 21, you may use the substitute qualification under Section 22: education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, higher professional school, university) supplemented by 1 year of practice in the field, retraining for the relevant activity supplemented by 1 year of practice, or 6 years of practice in the field without a certificate of education.

You do not have to hold the qualification personally – you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the qualification on your behalf. A single person may be a responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

Watchmaking is a notifiable trade; the licence arises on the day of notification.

Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF).
Submit it at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
Submit proof of professional qualification (Section 21 or Section 22), or the appointment of a responsible representative.
Pay the administrative fee.
The office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days of notification.

A detailed procedure can be found in the guide How to set up a trade step by step.

Documents and fees

A completed Unified Registration Form.
Proof of identity.
Proof of professional qualification (education, practice, retraining or recognition of qualification).
Where applicable, documents relating to the responsible representative.
An administrative fee of CZK 1,000 on first notification (CZK 800 for electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz).
Entry deadline: within 5 working days.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be trained specifically as a watchmaker?

Not necessarily. An apprenticeship certificate or school-leaving examination in the relevant field is ideal, but a related field with 1 year of practice, retraining with 1 year of practice, or 6 years of practice in the field without a certificate of education under Section 22 is also sufficient.

Can I do business even if I do not hold the qualification myself?

Yes. You may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. A single person may hold this role for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

Does watchmaking also cover the sale of watches?

The mere retail sale of watches falls under an unqualified (free) trade. Watchmaking concerns manufacture, repairs, servicing and adjustment. If you do both, the sale of goods can be carried on under an unqualified (free) trade.

When can I start doing business?

The licence arises on the day of notification itself. The office has 5 working days for the actual entry in the Trade Register.

Do I need a medical examination or insurance?

No. For watchmaking, neither medical fitness nor liability insurance is required. It is sufficient to meet the general conditions under Section 6.