Father Time has finally caught up with Saskatchewan’s — and Moose Jaw’s — last independent watch repair business as the owner prepares to set down his tools and retire after nearly 60 years.
Jack Wilson, owner of Wilson’s Watch, Clock & Jewelery Repair & Coins in the City Square Mall’s lower level, began his career in 1965 at 25 years old. His father, Vern, owned a jewelry business in Assiniboia and asked him to help around the store. While the young man initially had no intention of becoming a repairer of pocket watches, he agreed to help.
Eventually, Vern asked if he wanted to learn the repair trade and Jack agreed. So, his father built a bench so he could sit beside his son to teach him — an education that lasted 35 years.
“It turns out it was something I enjoyed, but it was not something I thought I would do when I was young,” said Wilson, 82, noting he still possesses that bench.
Before he lived in Assiniboia, Vern worked for Plaxton’s Jewellers in Moose Jaw and inspected and repaired pocket watches for Canadian Pacific Railway conductors.
The Friendly City
In 1991, the duo moved to Moose Jaw and into the then-Simpsons Sears building on Main Street. Vern worked there for a year before he died, leaving Jack to manage the business — and focus more on repairs than jewelry. The shop stayed on the main floor before Jack moved downstairs in 2013.
The businessman easily recalled all the shops that existed when he moved there in 1991, including a jewelry store featuring a goldsmith named Stu Bozak. Wilson noted that he learned how to be a goldsmith but never pursued it full-time because he lacked the equipment.
There was also a businessowner who bought and sold coins, but health issues forced him to close in 2000. Wilson purchased the collection because he wanted to do the same thing. This was also a hobby he picked up after he and his father took a course on repairing metal detectors and distributing them across Western Canada.
“From the 1991 crew (of mall businessowners), I am the only original one left,” Wilson said, noting the last few years have been difficult because vandals have broken in five times.
A dying industry
Wilson recalled that a Toronto university offered a course in watch repairs, but one requirement was that students apprentice under someone experienced. He decided against taking the course because he realized he would never be able to fulfill the requirements while also running the business.
That course, however, no longer exists, which the businessman noted is a sign that his profession “is definitely a dying trade.”
“I can’t see anybody making a living at it in the future because the costs are too much to repair and people will just buy something new,” Wilson said.
While he may not have pursued that university degree in watch and clock repair, the businessman did acquire three certificates that allowed him to work on some of the more well-known brands like Bulgari.
One problem with repairing watches these days is that five major companies refuse to send Wilson parts anymore. Instead, people must send their watches directly to the companies, which can be “a nightmare and expensive.”
Patience of a saint
Wilson says he knows he is the only independent watch repair business in Saskatchewan, and while some shops may replace batteries, neither Saskatoon nor Regina have a dedicated repairman. When he closes his doors on Dec. 29 after 58 years, people will have to send their watches to either Winnipeg or Calgary for repair — or just throw them away.
“The people don’t understand the intricateness; I can’t. (The parts are) so, so small,” said Elaine, Jack’s wife. “People stand there and watch him and shake their head (and ask), ‘How do you do it?’”
Meanwhile, she praised her husband for his patience working on watches because some have super tiny screws and parts. He agreed that he wouldn’t be able to do the job with that quality.
Elaine noted that they originally thought of becoming missionaries when they were in college, but God had other plans for them.
Faithful customers
Repairing watches and clocks is not as prominent as it once was because of cell phones, while most young people today don’t have a watch, can’t understand analogue time and use their phones, said Wilson.
However, “the old crowd” — seniors — still uses watches and are his most regular customers. Moreover, some want family heirlooms such as pocket watches maintained and working.
Many clients from Assiniboia made the trek to Moose Jaw for watch repairs, with some being “very, very faithful” for over 50 years. He noted that people continued to return because there was nowhere else for them to go.
When asked what he thought of working 58 years as a repairman, Wilson said he never thought that would have ever happened. However, he enjoyed interacting with people while he was fascinated with taking apart a non-functioning watch, repairing it, and returning it to working order.
“It’s the satisfaction of the work,” he remarked.
Industry changes
There were several big changes Wilson encountered while working in the watch industry: a shift from analogue to digital and an increase in the size of watch faces.
In 1979, the industry changed from mechanical watches to electronic, which forced Wilson to return to school to learn electronics repair. However, his father refused to learn about them, so he stuck with fixing mechanical ones.
“I wish I had known going to school way back when that electronics would be a big part of my business,” he said.
A third big change was it became more difficult to find replacement parts for mechanical watches. However, Wilson had a “fair selection of parts” that he accumulated over the years.
Sailing into retirement
Wilson is retiring because of health challenges, his age, and the fact his family wants to spend more time with him. While he has no hobbies, he wants to travel. The couple took many cruises over the years, and while they will only travel in Canada now, he joked that he could live on a cruise ship for the rest of his life.
Aside from travelling, the businessowner will likely join his friends for coffee, compete in shuffleboard tournaments and play cards. Elaine noted that she doesn’t want Jack to retire and wants him to keep working to remain active.
“Maybe I’ll be a Walmart greeter,” Wilson laughed.
