S.O.S. Watchmakers

S.O.S. Orologiai

I have received yet another testimony from a watch repairer in difficulty and I want to make it public here on the blog immediately, hoping to entice other representatives of the industry to take part in the debate that L'OROLOGIO has been conducting for some months now.

I also invite watch buyers to have their say. Because the freedom to choose who to entrust their timepieces to for repair should be an issue they feel most strongly about. Freedom to choose the craftsman or service centre that gives us the most confidence and, above all, how much to pay.

Below is the letter from Mr Rodolfo Saviola.

"Dear Mr Director,

I am Rodolfo Saviola, a watchmaker in Milan, I am 52 years old and have been involved in watches since childhood.

I read with pleasure the letter of my colleague Mr Doni, whom I thank jointly with you for having 'broken the ice' on this important issue.

This unfortunate situation means that our work is carried out at best in a climate of anxiety and uncertainty, two things that are completely contrary to what a watchmaker needs; in fact, it can happen that you have to replace a part that you have not estimated before, and then you are in trouble. Even a simple screw or a lost clothes peg can stop you from doing the job or even prevent you from completing it, resulting in a loss of takings and sometimes even the customer himself.

I have already had to tell customers I have served for decades that they could no longer access spare parts for their watches and had to turn to official dealers, to their considerable disappointment.

Honestly, I even thought about 'giving up', but at my age what do I do?

It is unbelievable that companies, who are asked in writing for a spare part, ignore the order without any written response; perhaps in order not to expose themselves to legal action.

Considering also the tax issue (taxes have to be paid), there should also be the law that obliges you to supply spare parts so that you can work.

In the hope that someone will feel pulled in and help us in this battle, I greet and thank you.

Rodolfo Saviola - Milan'

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