Comments on: June 2016 Update

By: Colin

Colin — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 23:17:39 +0000

In reply to Roland.

Thanks a lot Roland, it’s very encouraging to hear that from you!

I’d not seen Mark’s channel before, so I’ll have to take at look at some of his work. I’m training an apprentice at the moment and I’m taking notes of some of the things that I’m showing him. So I hope to be able to share some of these in the future. I had also been thinking about making some videos for a while now, and so after I move home in the New Year then this is something I may consider doing.

I wish you a happy 2017 too!

Cheers

Colin

By: Roland

Roland — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 09:33:07 +0000

Colin, there are still people out there who do appreciate the old hand-craft and skills. To be sure, these “old-fashion” skills have had a big dent due to all the mass production of cheap stuff. Nonetheless, I like to think that the number of people who start to re-appreciate these old skills / hand-craft is growing. Times are changing faster than ever and adaptation is required. New marketing skills to reach the group who is searching for the few (often hidden) “needles” left. Just as impressed I’m with your achievements, I’m also impressed with Mark Lovick’s YouTube Watch Repair Channel. Mark has stepped into the limelight and his Watch Repair Talk forum is growing fast. I guess he is well known by now and perhaps it pays off for him. I sincerely hope you pursuit your dreams and yes, you do have fans, me for one 😉 A BIG thank you !!
Wishing you all the best wishes, a healthy and prosperous 2017.

Roland, Denmark.

By: david pierce

david pierce — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 03:18:02 +0000

Colin,
Let me put it this way. Suppose you had a rare watch that had been in your family for several generations. The watch was no longer running due to missing gear teeth, broken pivots, broken mainspring etc. If you knew little about watches, at that time, and were unable to restore the watch yourself, who would you have preferred to send it to for a complete restoration. Would you had preferred to send it to Steffen Pahlow or the two year manager with the impressive BHI title. Now that you have those skills and can do the restoration yourself, which of those two do you respect as a watchmaker.
david

By: Colin

Colin — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 09:53:25 +0000

In reply to david pierce. Hi David, Thank you very much for your message. I think you've put it very well. For me I was disappointed not to have finished my exams and had the chance to upgrade to be a fellow. This was something I had set my sights on from the 1st day I started training to become a watchmaker, so I guess it's the feeling of an anti-climax. Colin

By: david pierce

david pierce — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 04:12:57 +0000

Colin,
Not to worry. The old guard is still trying to stick to 19th century solutions in the 21st century. This website you started will give you plenty of credibility and respect. The younger generation that will soon take over the decision making positions around the world is less impressed with credentials and far more impressed with the ability to do the job correctly. With the advent the internet and particularly Youtube, a person’s accomplishments can be seen by others and an assessment of that person’s abilities can be made more accurately than looking at an impressive title. George Daniels had numerous titles and credentials but had he not been able to produce the George Daniels Watches, nobody ever would have heard of him. If you run through Youtube and watch the videos produced by Steffen Pahlow, Vianney Halter, Philipe Defour, Gray & Sons Jewelers, The Watch Repair Channel, etc. who cares if they do or do not have a fellowship with the BHI. This is becoming a bottom line world and the bottom line is, these people do great work.
david