The psychologist turned the Hustle side of the repairs of the Rolex watch in the main work

This also told test is based on a conversation with Greg Petronzi from True Patina, a watchmaker specializing in Vintage rolex repairs. He is also a approved psychologist and professor at New York University. This interview has been modified for duration and clarity.

I have always had a fascination for watchesFrom a young age. Around college, I had a sample with a transparent plastic case and automatic movement. You could see all the parts of the watch while it worked, and I have always found it so interesting.

In college, I continued psychology. It was my practical career journey. I have a master’s degree and a doctorate. Overall, it was a 12 -year way to become a approved psychologist. But I have never lost my interest in watches.

After finishing school, I entered watchmakingwhich ended up becoming my main concert. Psychology has become my part -time concert, which I have never planned to perform, but it’s super exciting. I love the two disciplines.

I entered the watchmaking with informal learning

The arrogant was never really on my radar. As a graduate student, I started to get involved in the world of watches and to meet other watches lovers through forums and meetings.

I got friends with a Florida watchman named Rik Dietel, who has over 35 years of experience in watchmaking and specifically with vintage RolexWho is the niche that fascinates me very. I started to ask him how to fix this or change this on my own watches. Little by little, Rik started to teach me, and it turned into informal and distance learning.

In the coming years, when I worked as a psychologist and professor, my skills have started to really develop, and it started to appear to me that it could be more than just than hobby. I worked on my own things, then the watches of friends, then the watches of friends of friends. Then I started to obtain requests from people I did not know. This is where I said: “I better take this a little more seriously.”

During the pandemic, my psychology work became distant and I was able to devote more time and energy to watchmaking. I also had an income, which helped me to afford the tools. I recently spent about $ 15,000 on a tool to carry out a very nuanced repair.

I built my watchmaking workshop and I started to develop a niche in aesthetic repair – dials and hands. Because I started as a watchesI understand the importance of preserving the originality of a watch. While many more modern clocks have the disposal to “repair and replace”, I have the disposition to “restore and keep”.

I started presenting my work on Instagram and strengthening confidence in the community. I ended up working with very important Watch collectors and dealershipsLike Eric Wind of Wind Vintage and auction houses like Phillips.

There was a time when I realized that I made a name for myself in the world of the watch: someone sent me an ebay list that said: “Look just with the services by real patina.” I did not know who the seller was, but I said to myself: “Wow, the name of my business actually supports so much weight that people use this as a flexion to sell their watch.” It was really good.

The watchmaker can be difficult to enter, but it’s really rewarding

The watchmaker has most often outperformed what the doctorate and psychology allowed me to win, which I am amazed and grateful.

If someone interests learning watchmaking, I would say it is possible, but there are challenges. The tools are expensive and formal education options are limited. Most people find a learning Or start by working for an established brand while slowly building your own workshop.

My price varies a lot depending on the quantity of catering required. Repairs are generally between $ 1,000 and $ 2,000, but some go up to $ 6,000 or more, especially if a rare part should be coming.

I service watches that vary at a price of a few thousand dollars upwards six -digit watches. It is not uncommon that I work on a watch that costs $ 200,000 and sometimes even up to $ 500,000. Most often, they cost a few thousand up to $ 20,000. But what is most significant for me is to work on sentimental pieces – watches that have been in families for generations.

Becoming a watchmaker never crossed my mind as a child or even as a student. But all of a sudden, it has become organically reality for me, and it is a very, very significant and pleasant existence.

Evolution is a very enriching field. This can be very stressful, especially when the repair may not cooperate as you wish, but when things queuing, it can be a very attentive activity. You enter this flow where time stops in a way. It’s a bit ironic.

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