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THE SHOOT
D I S C O FEVER
Shiny finishes, sparkly dresses and bright colours for party season at Whistles
The Art of Watchmaking; Prestons’ Authorised Rolex Service Centre
Here, we talk with Prestons’ Head Watchmaker, Steve Tillston, and his Rolex-trained team about their experience as Rolex Accredited Watchmakers at Prestons’ Authorised Rolex Service Centre in Wilmslow and what led them to discover their passion for horology.
Opened in February 2020, the Authorised Rolex Service entre is located on the first oor of restons agship showroom, Prestons Wilmslow. Here, we explore with Steve and his team, Abbas, Joseph, Pedro, what led them to become watchmakers, the importance of servicing your wristwatch and what makes this showroom so special.
Do you have any early memories of watches as you were growing up?
Steve: “I remember having watches as a child, I always used to take them apart but couldn t figure out how to put them back together again. My mother’s alarm clock was always in pieces; if I could take it apart, I would, I really enjoyed it.”
Abbas: “I had a friend who had recently purchased a watch; my friend kindly showed me it and this is where it began. I was, at the time, studying Mechanical Engineering so I suppose you could say I’ve always had that sort of mindset but this was where my passion for watchmaking truly began.”
Steve Tillston, Head Watchmaker
Joseph Bentley, Pedro Geraldes, Steve Tillston (Head Watchmaker) and Abbas Ikleriya
Did you always know you wanted to be a Watchmaker?
Steve: “I think I knew very early on; I could have only been 16 years old. I remember vividly my mother seeing an advert in the local newspaper and saying to me “you like taking things apart, why don’t you have a go at this?” I read the advert and have been a watchmaker ever since. I suppose I have my mother to thank for where I am today.”
Pedro: “When I was growing up, I had originally dreamed of playing football professionally but watchmaking runs in my family. My mother is in the watchmaking industry and guided me into the profession. I knew once I had started exploring horology that I would really enjoy it.”
What does it mean to be a Rolex-Trained Watchmaker?
Steve: “Each of us, and each watchmaker that works within an Authorised Rolex Service Centre, are specially trained by the brand so as to ensure the quality and consistency of servicing operations worldwide. Each of us work in adherence with Rolex standards, thereby guaranteeing the performance of the brand’s watches over time. Abbas, Joseph, Pedro and I are committed to upholding Rolex’s aim of providing exceptional service at all times and no matter the condition of the watch.”
Abbas Ikleriya, Watchmaker
From all the watches you’ve serviced, what is your favourite watch?
Steve: “The team and I had a lovely client visit us here at Prestons Wilmslow recently; her husband had sadly passed away and she wanted to pass on his watch to their son for his birthday. It was so heart-warming to work on something so special with so many memories attached to it, we restored the functionality to ensure the watch was just as her husband had left it. The watch had a service and was returned to the client, it was well-loved and the perfect sentimental gift to pass on to the next generation.”
What advice would you give on the care of a Rolex watch?
Steve: “The fitting of the watch onto a wrist is so important. Each of our dedicated sales team members are Rolex trained and therefore able to advise on the size of the bracelet to suit the size of your wrist.”
Joseph: “The team and I also find that clients often visit us to arrange the polishing of their timepiece once a scratch has appeared; Rolex watches are designed to be worn and loved every day, our team would advise only polishing your wristwatch in accordance with the servicing schedule and enjoy wearing it every day in-between. I personally believe that every mark on your watch is a memory to commemorate something special.”
Joseph: “Rolex watches are designed and built to last. The service process begins from the moment a client brings their wristwatch to one of our showrooms and ends when it leaves us with its two-year international guarantee.
The servicing of a Rolex watch comprises several detailed steps requiring the use of specific tools and instruments that are tested and sometimes even developed by the brand – I love how meticulous every step is. The team and I begin the service process by separating the bracelet from the case and delicately removing the movement. From that point on, the movement, case and bracelet follow separate servicing paths.
Each component is carefully examined to determine whether it still meets Rolex requirements, cleaned, dried, lubricated and carefully reassembled piece by piece. The case, bracelet and parts are individually re-polished or satin-finished by hand by myself or one of the other watchmakers in our team. The watch is tested for accuracy, precision and waterproofness as well as pressure-tested to ensure it meets the expected chronometric performance set by Rolex.
At the end of the process, the timepiece is placed in a specialist pouch and is presented back to the client by one of our dedicated sales consultants. It is an incredible detailed process.”
Joseph Bentley, Watchmaker
What do you think having an in-house Authorised Rolex Service Centre brings to Prestons and their clients?
Abbas: “It offers in-house expertise to each of our clients, as often we are client-facing in the showroom or the Service Centre. Steve, Pedro, Joseph and I love to show our clients the servicing process and guide them through the work that will be undertaken on their timepiece.”
Steve: “I completely agree Abbas; I remember we once had a gentleman bring his Rolex watch to us as he had a time-keeping concern. I met the gentleman in the showroom for an appointment and soon found that his mobility problems were affecting the timekeeping of his watch. It felt very personal and had I not met the gentleman, it would have taken a longer time period for us to understand how to best advise the client.”
What makes The Prestons Experience so special?
Steve: “The Authorised Rolex Service Centre, which is located directly above our Wilmslow showroom, is incredible. It is a wonderful place to work, being so close to the showroom really helps us to offer the best after-sales experience possible. I have been the Head Watchmaker at Prestons for the last four years and I feel so honoured to be leading this team to ensure each Rolex watch that enters the workshop continues to make wonderful memories.
Abbas, Pedro, Joseph and I look forward to supporting and advising Prestons’ clients for years to come.”
For further information please visit: prestonsdiamonds.co.uk
SIR TERENCE CONRAN
G O L D S T A N D A R D
TRIPLE-FOUR CHRONOGRAPH WITH WARRANTY AND MEMBERS BADGE
Taking a closer look at the debut timepiece from Brooklands Watch Company, designed by Sir Terence Conran
The Triple-Four Racing Chronograph has made a seriously dazzling impression on the world of horology since its launch this autumn. Limited to just 500 examples, the debut timepiece from new British fi rm Brooklands Watch Company is a modern classic with heritage at its heart.
Designed by the visionary Sir Terence Conran, the Triple-Four is inspired by the golden age of racing at Brooklands, the birthplace of motor sport and aviation in Britain. Sir Terence’s father often attended the races at Brooklands’ historic track in Surrey and his mother learnt to fl y at its Flying Club.
His Triple-Four Chronograph design references the record-holding NapierRailton racing car built at Brooklands in 1933. The watch face perimeter is banked, echoing Brooklands race track’s unique sloped embankment, while the blue leather strap echoes the distinctive block tread design of early car tyres. Its back reveals a rotor design modelled after the car’s legendary Triple-Four Aero aircraft engine.
The Triple-Four has already received praise from the likes of Tracey Llewellyn, watch editor of The Telegraph. In The Best Watches for Motoring Enthusiasts in WatchPro, Tracey noted that “watches and cars are a match made in mechanical heaven” and named the Triple-Four “a modern classic”.
An ideal Christmas gift, each of the 500 limited-edition watches is individually numbered, signed by Sir Terence and presented in a beautiful blue velvet-lined leather watch box. Displayed neatly inside are the Triple-Four Chronograph, a slim brass warranty card and a members badge. This badge entitles the Triple-Four owners to a drive on Brooklands’ world-famous Test Hill track in a specially commissioned Brooklands Watch Company electric Bugatti Baby II car.
Brooklands Watch Company was founded by aeromechanical engineer Simon Je s. “The Triple-Four is a piece of art with a purpose. It has a beating heart and a story of British motor racing to tell,” he explains. “I’ve enjoyed fl ying for many years and settled mainly on helicopter fl ying before motorsport took over. I visited Brooklands racetrack to see my uncle’s Brooklands racing car being run after many years in storage. It was incredible. I was astonished that Brooklands built and operated the fi rst Motor Racing Chronograph accurate to 1000th second in 1907. This inspired me to create a luxury British watch brand.”
The limited-edition Triple-Four retails at £5,754 and is available on the Brooklands Watch Company website and until the end of the year exclusively at The Conran Shop, Chelsea. Brooklands Museum Trust and London’s Design Museum will both benefi t from the sale of each watch.
BEAUTY & HEALTH
CELESTIAL SPARKLE
CHANEL You can celebrate the holidays in a swirl of stars with this stunning new holiday collection. It seems that Chanel’s Makeup Creation Studio looked to the skies when searching for inspiration for this year's range. The result is a truly stunning collection of shimmering products, all delicately embossed with a celestial signature. chanel.com
