Story Highlight
– Zakok Jewelers invests seven figures in watchmaking facility.
– CEO advocates for faster watch repair services.
– New facility supports pre-owned watch business growth.
– Service center aims for repairs within one month.
– Rolex Certified Pre-Owned program launching in November.
Full Story
Texas-based Zakok Jewelers is poised to enhance the landscape of watch repair with a significant investment exceeding £1 million in a cutting-edge watchmaking facility.
The company’s CEO, Jonathan Zadok, has consistently emphasised the need for the watch industry to expedite repair and servicing processes. He raises a pertinent question: “Why can a Ferrari or Porsche dealer service your car within days when it takes us sometimes many months?”
Zadok argues that the lengthy repair timelines and high costs for basic services risk alienating clients, particularly when such services can be likened to a straightforward oil change for a car.
In response to these challenges, Zadok Jewelers is establishing a 2,000 square foot workshop above its main showroom in Houston, designed to support both repairs and the burgeoning pre-owned watch sector. “It’s going to be a centralised facility that will handle repairs and servicing, but it will also support our growing pre-owned watch business,” he informs WatchPro.
The prolonged duration for watch servicing has been a persistent frustration among owners, particularly as the pre-owned market has expanded significantly in the last decade. “As everybody in the industry knows, the pre-owned market has grown dramatically over the past five to ten years, and that creates additional demands on servicing infrastructure,” Mr Zadok notes.
He expresses concern that the industry’s success could ultimately lead to its own downfall if adequate after-sales support is not provided. “The last thing we want is to undermine that enthusiasm by providing a terrible after-sales experience,” he cautions, highlighting the current positive momentum in the sector.
While the new workshop is under development, efforts are already underway to recruit skilled watchmakers. These specialists will join a broader service team that includes a Rolex-certified engineer based at the company’s additional location in Austin, Texas.
Despite acknowledging that the service centre may initially operate at a loss, Zadok declares, “if we want the rest of our watch business to flourish, we have to invest in it.” As an authorised dealer for 26 different watch brands, the company faces significant logistical challenges in terms of training, stock management, and acquiring advanced tools, which can prolong the standard servicing timeline.
Zadok admits that the goal remains to reduce service times, currently projected at about one month, a period he acknowledges still needs improvement. “I’m talking about a maximum of one month, not a minimum. I think you have to begin with a target that’s both reasonable and achievable. Three to four weeks as a maximum is something I believe we can deliver, so let’s start there,” he explains. He adds that, with consistent achievement of this timeframe, further reductions could be pursued.
Furthermore, the new service centre will adapt to accommodate Rolex Certified Pre-Owned work, as Zakok Jewelers has recently become an authorised Rolex dealer following the launch of its Austin store. “We’re launching Rolex Certified Pre-Owned in November,” Mr Zadok reveals, indicating the company’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings in a rapidly evolving market.
