The seconds keep on ticking on Colin Potts’ second wristwatch.
He’s the first Miltonian to bring an original watch to the market since Emile Marchand, who passed away in 1928. He launched his Jakob Eitan brand earlier this year with his first watch. In the time since, he has made some modifications, and has now debuted his second watch.
Milton Historical Society President John Challinor had the chance to see both pieces up close. He describes the new watch.
Marchand established J. & A. Marchand Jewellers locally in 1894 after purchasing the jewellery business of Charles White. The Marchand family ran the business until 1966, when Mr. Marchand’s son, Marcel (1901 – 1968), sold it to Ross Brancier, who renamed the business Ross Brancier Jewellers. Today, Brancier Jewellers is operated by Mark Brancier, Mr. Brancier’s son, at 1015 Bronte Street South.
Challinor says it’s incredible to see a business that dates back to the 1800’s still active – even if it’s under a different name. He recalls only a handful of local businesses that could say the same, even noting that most longtime local family farms have sold their land in recent years.
When it comes to Potts, Challinor says it’s pretty incredible that a luxury item like a wristwatch is being made and sold here in Milton, and notes that Miltonians should jump at the chance to get a piece of local history at the relatively low price of $450.
Potts’ original watch with the blue dial from earlier in the year was selling for $450 when it first debuted. It is now available for $650, suggesting that it has risen in value in the time since.
Challinor hopes people start looking out for local antiques that they may own.
He adds that it could be an old watch or it could an old piece of furniture – if it was made in Milton, it deserves to be remembered. Challinor recommends that if you find an old timepiece, you should take it to Potts to have it repaired and refurbished.
You can check out the Jakob Eitan brand here.
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