Dictionary of Old Occupations

Definitions of jobs Watch Finisher - Weigher

Watch Finisher: put together the various parts of the watch.

Watch Fusee Cutter: cut gearing on the fusee wheel which was used in spring-powered clocks and watches to solve the problem of slowing down as the mainspring unwound.

Watch Guilder: gilded the individual parts of the movement to prevent corrosion.

Watch Jeweller: inserted the jewels into the watch mechanism to help reduce friction.

Watch Motion Worker: assembled the mechanism under the dial.

Watch Movement Maker: assembled the various parts of the movement.

Watch Pendant Maker: produced the knob and loop at the top of the Watch onto which the chain was attached.

Watch Pinion Maker: made Pinion gears for use in watch escapements.

My thanks to the The Coventry Watch Museum Project group for their assistance with the preceding watchmaking job definitions.

Watcher: a security guard who protected goods in a warehouse.

Watchman: patrolled the town at night to protect property and the public.

Water Bailiff: a Customs official who patrolled rivers to enforce the law against unlicensed fishing (poaching) and other offences.

Water Gilder: caught water fowl for food.

Water Leader: a merchant who dealt in fresh water.

Water Leder: alternative spelling of Water Leader.

Water Loder: another name for a Water Leader.

Waterguard: a customs officer who protected against smuggling.

Waterman: a river boatman who available for hire.

Wattle Hurdle Maker: made fence panels out of wattle.

Waulker: alternate spelling of Walker, a Fuller who cleaned cloth.

Waulkmiller: another variation of a Walker who cleaned cloth.

Waver: a Weaver.

Way Maker: built roads.

Way Man: surveyed roads.

Wayland: old name for a Blacksmith or weaponsmith.

Weather Spy: astrologer, possibly used as a derogatory name.

Weaver: a textile worker who produced cloth on a loom.

Copyright: Jane Hewitt. This dictionary is authorised for use on www.familyresearcher.co.uk only.

Webber Operator: a female loom operator (Weaver).

Webster: an alternate term for a Webber Operator.

Weigh Clerk: worked at a dock transferring goods from ship to land.

Weigher: an alternate name for a Weigh Clerk at a dock.

This dictionary is my own work, and copyright Jane Hewitt. I sometimes find unauthorised (i.e. stolen) copies of my website content appearing on other people's websites. If you should read a group of identical glossary definitions elsewhere on the web, consider whether such sites are reputable or not.

Watchmaking (Hardcover) by George Daniels

Twenty-eight years after its first publication, the best-selling Watchmaking continues to inspire and encourage the art of watchmaking, especially among new generations of enthusiasts. As a supreme master of his art, George Daniels's advice is constantly sought by both students and watch repairers, his understanding of the problems that can beset the would-be watchmaker, especially in an age of mass production, and his expert knowledge of the history of watchmaking being second to none. Here, the making of the precision timekeeper is described step by step and illustrated at each stage with line drawings and brief explanatory captions. The text is easy to follow and care has been taken to avoid complicated technical descriptions.

Further information