Ahead of the upcoming
Watches sale on Monday 20th May, and the
Online Watches & Watch Accessories which ends on the same day, Four members of the Marketing Department at Fellows Auctioneers have been discussing watch repairs.
The members of the Marketing Department who have taken part:
Alexandra Whittaker (
AW) - Communications & PR Manager
Jorden Guest (
JG) - Marketing Manager
Luke Poole (
LP) - Marketing Executive
Howard Cheung (
HC) - International Marketing Assistant
From top left across to bottom right - Alexandra Whittaker, Jorden Guest, Luke Poole, and Howard Cheung.
1. How long have you had an interest in watches for and why?
AW: It is a relatively new thing for me, around 3 years. My fascination started from getting to know the watch specialists at Fellows and finding my own personal style. I have embraced wearing men’s watches as I like the size and actually being able to tell the time!
JG: I would say roughly 20 years, my first recollection of a watch obsession was wearing my father’s Rolex Date-Just, which I now own. Also printing off and sticking a picture of a Jacob & co JC-3 to my parents' fridge.
LP: Since I started working at Fellows, I didn’t appreciate the craftsmanship until I saw some watches up close.
HC: Maybe from 16/17 when one of my cousins started giving me a watch for a birthday present.
2. Do you have much of a watch or parts collection yourself?
AW: I have a couple of watches. None of them would be considered “fine” but I like them. A few have been presents which I cherish, they are very special to me. I have only bought myself one watch. It was from Fellows, of course! I chose a gentleman’s 80s dress watch from Garrard as I liked the classic style and easy to read dial. I wear it nearly every day.
JG: Yes, I’d like to think for someone my age my collection is pretty good! I have pieces ranging in both age and price. Today is a Tudor day.
LP: I don’t really have a watch collection but I’d like one. I’m just wearing an Apple Watch at the moment which does everything I need it to.
HC: A very amateur collection of sports watches.
3. Do you carry out much watch repairing?
AW: No! But I do rely heavily on my colleagues in the watch department to help me out when something breaks. They are very generous with their time and expertise.
JG: I do, well I try. I can change a battery in a quartz watch and remove a link… does that count?
LP: No, I’d probably cause more damage!
HC: No, I leave it to the professionals.
4. Why do you think the upcoming Watches sale is ideal for people who wish to repair watches?
AW: If you have an interest in tinkering with watches, this is for you! You can pick up parts that are usually only available to franchisees or registered repairers.
JG: This sale can be great for someone looking to repair watches because you can buy individual parts or buy in bulk. It allows you to buy top brand watches at a low price that means a beginner can work on real movements etc. without the pressure of the cost.
LP: Instead of looking around the internet trying to find one part you could pay a similar price or a little bit more and get hundreds of parts instead! It’s a treasure trove so you never know what you might find.
HC: There are various types of repair work they can be working on.
5. What are some of your favourite items in the upcoming Watches sale?
AW: I’ll come back to you on that, I like loads of them!
JG: Lot number
8 and Lot number
57!
LP: I like
Lot 144, it’s a simple but classy looking Raymond Weil with an exhibition case back. It has an estimate of £180-£260 so could be a great watch to start your collection with.
HC: I like the watch boxes because one day I would like to buy a watch for that watch box.
6. Why do you think the Watch Parts sales are so successful/busy?
AW: There is something for everyone!
JG: This sale gives people the opportunity to find items that can be incredibly difficult to get over the counter. I recently purchased a 1958 Tudor Price in this sale.
LP: Like I said earlier, it’s a treasure trove so you never know what you might find!
HC: People are looking for rare parts and they are often found in these sales.