It’s been a business handed down for four generations from master to apprentice.

This week, Lismore Timezone Watchmakers has proud new owners - Matt and Lisa Rankin.

The couple are the latest of husband and wife teams to take on the business – now that former husband and wife owners Graeme and Ann Hoskins have ‘semi-retired’ from the long-standing business.

Matt is a fully qualified watchmaker who started out as Graeme’s apprentice back in 2006. After four years and winning multiple awards for his skills, he completed his apprenticeship in 2010 and went on to work in other places, refining and expanding his skills.

He came back to work with Graeme last year, before deciding to purchase the business in 2021.

“Once a watchmaker always a watchmaker,” Matt said. “Occasionally, Graeme will be in, still be gracing us with his presence and expertise.”

Challenges

Matt works on all sorts of watches, chronographs and wall clocks, and often pulls them completely to pieces as he investigates what’s going on.

“Some of them can be challenges,” Matt said. “I’m often replacing moving pieces in traditional, old school watches, or replacing batteries in electronic watches.

“Sometimes I need to talk to old hands who might have seen it before.

“This is a profession where you don’t just read a book and know how to do it – it’s handed down knowledge.”

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Swiss vs English

So, what is secret to a quality timepiece – and what’s the fuss about Swiss watches?

“One anecdote I was told as an apprentice is about the difference between the Swiss and the English competing in the clock world,” Matt said.

“The English turned a piece of glass down to the thickness of a human hair and sent it to the Swiss and said beat that. The Swiss then sent it back with a hole drilled down the middle of it.”

Retail face

Lisa takes care of the retail side of the business, so when you come in the doors to have a watch or clock fixed or to buy a new one– you’ll see her smiling face.

She has years of experience in business administration, finance and customer service and loves to get creative too.

“I am looking forward to creating some amazing windows displays and sales events,” Lisa said.

“I am a people person and really enjoy greeting and having a chat to our customers.

Today we were surprise by a delivery of beautiful flowers from Matt’s brother and his fiancé, as well as a second bunch of flowers from a mystery person and a note wishing us all the best.

“We are excited to be here and help people with all their timekeeping needs.

The shop is open Monday to Saturday and is located on the corner of Keen and Magellan Streets.