The UK-based Time Out Watch Repair Centre has set its sights on European expansion, despite a COVID-forced turbulent market and the looming Brexit impact.
Already in discussion with a number of European retailers, Operations Manager Shazad Ajmal (pictured left) explained how the business would also look at offering a full Service Centre Operating service where a watch brand would be able to sub-contract their repair and service requirements.
In conversation with WatchPro, Mr Ajmal give greater insight into what the business exists to offer the UK and European watch market:
WP: How long has Time Out Watch Repair Centre been operating?
SA: We have been operating for over 15 years as a specialist watch repairers dealing with both direct retail customers as well as building up a strong Trade Repair Service.
WP: What is your basic business model?
SA: We offer a trade repair service which is built upon trust, quality of service and expertise in watch and clock repairs”
We have a number of trade customers based across the UK who post us their watch repairs for us to complete and return back to them. These include simple watch battery and re-seals as well as more complicated watch services and restorations. We offer a speedy and efficient service and aim to be as competitive as possible with our trade prices.
WP: What services do you provide that jewellers couldn’t themselves offer?
SA: We have a team of 5 highly trained Watch Repair Technicians and Restorers and a comprehensive repair workshop which is able to handle every type of watch repair from a modern timepiece to a vintage mechanical or automatic timepiece requiring a more extensive restoration.
WP: Which brands (if any) can you not repair?
SA: We are able to provide a complete and service for all type of repairs and restorations and have built up a network of parts suppliers and supply partners which allow us to source and obtain parts from across the world. It is not unusual for us to source parts from as far afield as America and Australia.
WP: What makes you a better option for trade repairs than your competitors?
I think our trade repair customers are in a better position to answer this question than us. Below are some of the testimonials we have received:
“We’ve been using Time Out for a few years now; very helpful, brilliant service and very reasonably priced! Everyone at Time Out is always happy to help, with great turnaround times on repairs compared to many other repairers! Would recommend to anyone!”
Amy-Leigh, Hallmark Jewellers, Hampshire
“We have dealt with Time Out Watch Repairs for several years now and have always found them polite and helpful. With regard to repairs on watches they are always prompt and efficient. We continue to be very happy with their service.”
Gigi Redman, Hadley’s of Lymington, Watch & Clock Service Manager
WP: What is your unique selling point?
We go out of our way to help. Even if a trade repair customer just needs some advice or help, we are there to support them. We have often fixed problems for our trade repair customers where something has gone wrong with a customers watch and they are facing a real problem. We don’t see this as job we can make money on but a way to help out our partner. We want long term partners and clients and are not looking for short term repair jobs.
