It all started with bush fire smoke, somewhere in January

The initial "discomfort in throat" quickly turned into a sporadic but annoying cough.  It felt like medium-coarse sand paper (grade 800, wet & dry) being jammed in the upper airways.  "It will go away" I told myself.

It didn't. Instead, it turned into an irritating hourly ritual of unhealthiness which annoyed the hell out of everyone around me. But it wasn't the cough - it was the sleep deprivation that drove me crazy. Finally, two weeks ago, I went to see my GP for a checkout.

"You are perfectly fine, it's not coronavirus", she said.  "It will go away".

"When?" "In two weeks. If it doesn't, then come to see me again. Actually, don't come to see me. It will go away."
"It's not going away for 3 months now"
"Yes, I know" - he said - "I've been coughing myself for 6 months. It is irritating, but it won't kill you. It is most likely hereditary."

That night I called my brother who specialises in public health.

Ten minutes later, my mother was on the line. "Your brother told me you are coughing like a donkey. I can't believe you are not drinking onion tea! Start drinking it now, you will be like new by Friday!".

Bloody hell, the onion tea! How could I forget that good old Slavic recipe, the universal cure for any illness known to humans and small domestic animals?

"Boil one onion in a litre of water for 10 minutes. Drink 3 times per day."

Yes, it' simple as that. Does the tea smell and taste like onion? Of course it does. But if you are coughing like a donkey, it is the most pleasant taste ever. Because - it works.

Did it go away? Of course, like my GP said - in exactly two weeks’ time.

Business as usual in March 2020

The buzz word of the week: self-isolation. My goodness, I can't wait for 2 weeks of FUN: no bloody customers, no phone calls, no unwanted emails. No public transport hassle either- just endless streaming of Netflix, YouTube documentaries, stock market horror stories & reports. Homemade food – and countless hours playing with toys. 

But hang on - I've just described YOUR life! For me, business as usual! Yes, we are open by appointments only - but we ARE open. With a pile of watches to list, and a pile of watches to repair - and assemble - life goes on. 

Self-isolation is not the end of the world. Pull out your watches, give them a wind, kick them in motion - and have some fun. Change straps. Clean bracelets; polish those plexi glasses to a mirror finish. Of course, if you haven't done it yet - do your watch inventory. I can't think of a better time to do so than now! 

Your inventory sheet should be detailed: stock number, model reference, serial numbers - all numbers visible on the watch - as well as a thorough description. Don't forget the important bit: price paid and what you believe is the current market value. Take a few photos of your stock and keep them on file. It goes without saying that your   inventory sheet should be kept separately from your watches, and away from prying eyes. 

The inventory sheet is absolutely priceless. It serves a number of purposes: from helping with determining which watches need a 'proper' insurance valuation, to helping you assess of your collection's monetary value. You may be surprised how much you've 'made' on certain pieces - and how other watches pathetically under-performed over the years. That's life. Of course, if you wish to trim your collection and sell a piece or two, get in touch. 

Watches always wanted!

Looking to add to your collection? Our entire stock is listed here: http://clockmaker.com.au/wfs1.html

We ship the moment that payment is received, which in most cases is the same day. In a day or two, the watch will be on your wrist.       
As of 16/03/2020