The Tasmanian tiger is one of the most fabled animals in the world.
Yet, despite its fame, it is one of the least understood.
European settlers were puzzled by it, feared it and killed it when they could.
But things went from bad to worse when Tasmanian Government encouraged sheep farmers to hunt and kill.
By 1910, this beautiful animal had been pushed to the brink of extinction.
The tiger was shy and secretive and always avoided contact with humans.
Despite being called a tiger it had a quiet temperament.
Captured animals generally gave up without a struggle and many died suddenly, from shock.
On September 7th 1936 the last captured tiger died alone, in a dirty cage of Hobart zoo.
Yes, the Tassie tiger was an animal like no other.
Recently I attended a children’s birthday party. Chatting, hopping from topic to topic,
the discussion got heated when someone asked "if you could go back in time, where would you go?"
She was 5 or maybe 6. In her proudest voice, she stopped the crowd:
"I would go and save Tasmanian tiger. I would smash his cage,
hug him, take him home, call him Ricky and he will be my best friend forever".
Yes, true activists are born, not bred!
Sometimes being close to the issue can be counter-productive.
And what seems right to me may not necessarily seem right to you.
The decision to call a few of my colleagues and discuss common trade issues was
not high on my priority list. Watchmakers are busy people and, like Tassie tigers,
generally shy and secretive.
Yet to get a clearer picture and perhaps a more objective one, I had no
choice but to pick up the phone and let them talk.
Interview time was limited to 5 minutes.
***
CARL PARKER, master watchmaker, Sydney.
Mr. Parker, as a typical independent watchmaker… Well, I don’t really think I’m typical. But independent Australian watchmaker, definitely yes.
Would you describe yourself as a professional watchmaker? Yes, I’ve been an instructor for the Swiss watch industry for 20 years.
And how long have you been in the watch repair business? Since 1972 (40 years).
And what is the core nature of your business? We repair high grade wrist watches, clocks, music boxes and barometers.
So you would have no problem repairing a mechanical watch like, for example, a Rolex Datejust? No, not at all.
But do you have access to Rolex spare parts? No.
Can you get parts for Cartier? No.
How about Breitling? No.
How many apprentices have you trained in the last 10 years?
Mr. Parker, as a typical independent watchmaker… Well, I don’t really think I’m typical. But independent Australian watchmaker, definitely yes.
Would you describe yourself as a professional watchmaker? Yes, I’ve been an instructor for the Swiss watch industry for 20 years.
And how long have you been in the watch repair business? Since 1972 (40 years).
And what is the core nature of your business? We repair high grade wrist watches, clocks, music boxes and barometers.
So you would have no problem repairing a mechanical watch like, for example, a Rolex Datejust? No, not at all.
But do you have access to Rolex spare parts? No.
Can you get parts for Cartier? No.
How about Breitling? No.
How many apprentices have you trained in the last 10 years?
One.
And how many of those that you’ve trained are practicing trade as independent watchmakers in Australia? One.
Carl, thank you for taking time to answer these questions.
***
THOMAS CZIBIULA, master watchmaker, Sydney
Mr. Czibula, as many of our subscribers know, you run an independent watch repair business in Sydney CBD. Yes, I’ve been repairing watches for 37 years now.
So you are a professional watchmaker? Yes. I’m a European-trained master watchmaker specialising in mechanical watches. I offer repair service to both individual customers and companies.
Based on your experience and skills would you be able to overhaul an automatic wrist watch like Rolex Datejust? Yes, of course.
Do you have access to Rolex spare parts or an account with Rolex Australia?
No.
Can you get spare parts from Cartier/Richemont group? No.
How about Breitling?
No.
How many apprentices have you trained in the last 10 years?
Officially, none. Unofficially one, my son.
How many of those that you’ve trained are practicing trade as independent watchmakers in Australia?
Unfortunately none.
***
Mr. Czibula, as many of our subscribers know, you run an independent watch repair business in Sydney CBD. Yes, I’ve been repairing watches for 37 years now.
So you are a professional watchmaker? Yes. I’m a European-trained master watchmaker specialising in mechanical watches. I offer repair service to both individual customers and companies.
Based on your experience and skills would you be able to overhaul an automatic wrist watch like Rolex Datejust? Yes, of course.
Do you have access to Rolex spare parts or an account with Rolex Australia?
No.
Can you get spare parts from Cartier/Richemont group? No.
How about Breitling?
No.
How many apprentices have you trained in the last 10 years?
Officially, none. Unofficially one, my son.
How many of those that you’ve trained are practicing trade as independent watchmakers in Australia?
Unfortunately none.
***
JOAL SANTOS,
master watchmaker, Sydney.
Mr. Santos, thank you for taking time to answer a couple of questions for our readers. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? I started my watch repair career in Europe. I was trained by Swiss Ebauch Group.
So you consider yourself to be a professional watchmaker? Yes. I’ve been working with watches for 40 years. I started my apprenticeship at the age of 12.
What kind of repairs do you do? I repair high-grade watches.
So you have no problem repairing a mechanical watch, a Rolex Datejust, for example? No, not at all. I would consider this a simple repair job.
But do you have access to Rolex spare parts?
No. My account with Rolex was closed in 2005.
Can you get spare parts from Cartier/Richemont group? No.
How about Breitling? No.
How many apprentices have you trained in the last 10 years?
Two.
And how many of those that you’ve trained are practicing trade as independent watchmakers in Australia?
Two.
***
Mr. Santos, thank you for taking time to answer a couple of questions for our readers. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? I started my watch repair career in Europe. I was trained by Swiss Ebauch Group.
So you consider yourself to be a professional watchmaker? Yes. I’ve been working with watches for 40 years. I started my apprenticeship at the age of 12.
What kind of repairs do you do? I repair high-grade watches.
So you have no problem repairing a mechanical watch, a Rolex Datejust, for example? No, not at all. I would consider this a simple repair job.
But do you have access to Rolex spare parts?
No. My account with Rolex was closed in 2005.
Can you get spare parts from Cartier/Richemont group? No.
How about Breitling? No.
How many apprentices have you trained in the last 10 years?
Two.
And how many of those that you’ve trained are practicing trade as independent watchmakers in Australia?
Two.
***
MAX SCHWEIZER, master
watchmaker, Sydney.
Mr. Schweizer is one of the most reputable and well respected watchmakers not only amongst watch enthusiasts but also within the watch trade itself. I have to admit I did not feel comfortable asking Max for interview. As a native Swiss and long-time authorized Rolex serviceman, I thought he would have no interest in answering questions which could put him in compromising position. Nevertheless, I made a phone call to his workshop early morning.
Mr. Schweizer, would you describe yourself as a professional watchmaker?
Yes.
How long have you been in the watch servicing business?
Hmm, I need to do some math’s for that one…Since 1965, 47 years! I was born in Switzerland and trained as a watchmaker with Eterna. I was then sent to train watchmakers in Nairobi, Africa. In 1975 I got a new job as a Rolex instructor in Cairo. After arriving in Australia I started my independent watch repair business.
Repairing high grade Swiss watches?
Yes.
Would you consider the repair on a watch, such as a Rolex Datejust, a straightforward job?
Mr. Schweizer is one of the most reputable and well respected watchmakers not only amongst watch enthusiasts but also within the watch trade itself. I have to admit I did not feel comfortable asking Max for interview. As a native Swiss and long-time authorized Rolex serviceman, I thought he would have no interest in answering questions which could put him in compromising position. Nevertheless, I made a phone call to his workshop early morning.
Mr. Schweizer, would you describe yourself as a professional watchmaker?
Yes.
How long have you been in the watch servicing business?
Hmm, I need to do some math’s for that one…Since 1965, 47 years! I was born in Switzerland and trained as a watchmaker with Eterna. I was then sent to train watchmakers in Nairobi, Africa. In 1975 I got a new job as a Rolex instructor in Cairo. After arriving in Australia I started my independent watch repair business.
Repairing high grade Swiss watches?
Yes.
Would you consider the repair on a watch, such as a Rolex Datejust, a straightforward job?
Yes, of course.
So, you probably have access to Rolex spare parts, right?
Actually no, I don't. My account with Rolex Australia was closed at the end of March 2012.
Six months ago I received a letter from Rolex informing me that my account was to be closed.
This is shocking news. What was your reaction?
Unfortunately it is true. My wife and I spent the best years of our life working for the brand. We were loyal to Rolex. We are still in a state of disbelief. Until we received the letter, the thought never crossed our mind that this would happen. With just one year before retirement, it is difficult to find rational explanation for such a decision.
At this point of the interview, I felt it unsuitable to proceed further as the closure of Max Schweizer’s Rolex account has evidently caused him much distress. However I thought it necessary to inquire about the other brands:
Can you get spare parts from Cartier/Richemont group?
So, you probably have access to Rolex spare parts, right?
Actually no, I don't. My account with Rolex Australia was closed at the end of March 2012.
Six months ago I received a letter from Rolex informing me that my account was to be closed.
This is shocking news. What was your reaction?
Unfortunately it is true. My wife and I spent the best years of our life working for the brand. We were loyal to Rolex. We are still in a state of disbelief. Until we received the letter, the thought never crossed our mind that this would happen. With just one year before retirement, it is difficult to find rational explanation for such a decision.
At this point of the interview, I felt it unsuitable to proceed further as the closure of Max Schweizer’s Rolex account has evidently caused him much distress. However I thought it necessary to inquire about the other brands:
Can you get spare parts from Cartier/Richemont group?
No.
How about Breitling?
No.
How many apprentices have you trained in the last 10 years?
Three
How many of those that you’ve trained are practicing trade as independent watchmakers in Australia?
Only one is currently working independently in the watch trade.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***
I guess the true reason for not wanting to talk to watchmakers was not
lack of time, but predictability of answers.
Let me state the obvious: independent watchmakers are true asset to any
society. They possess skills acquired over many decades of complex
restorations and repairs. They work on high-grade watches, both new (if they can get spare parts!)
and vintage. They also restore and repair fine and unusual timepieces
like vintage pocket watches, music boxes, complex clock mechanisms, barometers.
I guess the true reason for not wanting to talk to watchmakers was not
lack of time, but predictability of answers.
Let me state the obvious: independent watchmakers are true asset to any
society. They possess skills acquired over many decades of complex
restorations and repairs. They work on high-grade watches, both new (if they can get spare parts!)
and vintage. They also restore and repair fine and unusual timepieces
like vintage pocket watches, music boxes, complex clock mechanisms, barometers.
They are shy tigers.
Brand name watchmakers who specialize in single brand and single caliber watches,
who were trained 'in house', are far less versatile and offer a more limited service.
They have no contact with the general public. They are not
trained to teach other watchmakers and pass their knowledge onto the next generation.
There are many millions of lesser known brand watches out there -awaiting restoration-
that are absolutely of no interest to 'authorized brand name' service centers.
Actually, as some of you know, often, even brand name watches are rendered
beyond repair after certain age.
What you may regard as a priceless family heirloom, a brand name Swiss repair centre
may regard as worthless junk.
Once the last ‘tiger’ is captured and starved to death,
watch collectors and the general public will notice the difference.
By then it will be too late.
I have not the slightest doubt that one day science will advance
so far that the Tasmanian tiger will be 'recreated' from a remnant of DNA.
Unfortunately, even then, recreating a master watchmaker from DNA would be still impossible!
Brand name watchmakers who specialize in single brand and single caliber watches,
who were trained 'in house', are far less versatile and offer a more limited service.
They have no contact with the general public. They are not
trained to teach other watchmakers and pass their knowledge onto the next generation.
There are many millions of lesser known brand watches out there -awaiting restoration-
that are absolutely of no interest to 'authorized brand name' service centers.
Actually, as some of you know, often, even brand name watches are rendered
beyond repair after certain age.
What you may regard as a priceless family heirloom, a brand name Swiss repair centre
may regard as worthless junk.
Once the last ‘tiger’ is captured and starved to death,
watch collectors and the general public will notice the difference.
By then it will be too late.
I have not the slightest doubt that one day science will advance
so far that the Tasmanian tiger will be 'recreated' from a remnant of DNA.
Unfortunately, even then, recreating a master watchmaker from DNA would be still impossible!
Don't wait untill it's too late - do the right thing:
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