Ten years ago or so, I had a Rolex Date-Just for repair for which I didn’t have the required parts. One reverser, a rotor post, balance staff, recondition, etc. I gave it to one of the watch repair fraternity who had access to parts. In due time, the watch came back. I phoned my customer and told him it was ready. He gave me a time that day that he would come. I decided to wind it and set it before he got here. I’m glad I did. The b _ _ _ _ r wouldn’t run. I went to my shop and opened it. Balance wheel wobbling and flopping. I pulled the balance cock with the wheel attached, and lo and behold, what do I find. A folded piece of paper under the heel of the cock! He charged for a balance staff, but didn’t do it! He shimmed the cock to lower the tip! I checked my stash, and I had an NOS genuine Rolex staff which I fitted, and had it finished before the guy got here. I have never spoken to the p _ _ _ _ k that pulled that stunt, ever since!
Years ago, I was managing a jewellery store. A guy who called himself a watchmaker came in and introduced himself. I decided to send him some work. One of the first jobs I gave him came back with an invoice. The b _ _ _ _ r wouldn’t run. He didn’t know I was a qualified watchmaker. I check it over. NONE of what it was sent to him for, was done! Needless to say, the p _ _ _ _ k got no more work from me!
I once serviced a nice Dominion Atlantic Railway Waltham 1883 (a rare bird) for a friend. He’d had it serviced by a guy I knew. The b _ _ _ _ r wouldn’t run! He’d replaced a pallet stone with a ROLLER JEWEL!
And I could go on. I’ll never be rich, but I pride myself in my work, and I sleep well.
