Klotz Watches and Clocks Finds its Niche in a Digital Age

By Jonathan Farrell

Some experts have speculated that as the use of electronic time devices expands mechanical watches will become obsolete.

Does this worry watchmakers? According to Rolf Klotz of Klotz Watches and Clocks, a sales and repair shop on Market Street, the answer is no.

“People still like to see the face and hands of a watch,” Klotz said. Besides he noted, “if you remember, people said that the digital watch would phase out traditional time pieces.

“There are watches now that have computer chips in them,” Klotz said. “But anything mechanical with wheels and gears like a watch or a clock wears down over time and requires repair.”
At present his shop has over 200 work orders for repair, so business is brisk.

“Ironically, it’s because of the dramatic recovery of the mechanical watch there is today an urgent need for qualified watchmakers,” said WatchTime Magazine Editor-in-Chief Joe Thompson. “There is little supply of watchmakers to meet the rising demand.”

Klotz and his son Michael have been at the 2166 Market St. location for the past seven years and in business in San Francisco since the 1980s.

“I was in the Marina District near Lombard Street, before Kinko’s took over the building and kicked
me out,” Klotz said.

His Market Street shop is filled with watches and clocks of every kind from various eras.

“Right now there is an increase in the demand for vintage watches from the 1940s and 50s,” Klotz said.

The welcoming atmosphere of his shop has a touch of elegance that customers would find in longstanding institutions like Tiffany’s or Cartier. Display cases feature classic watches and clocks many people would recognize immediately, like the glass-domed anniversary clock as well as a grandfather clock with its swinging pendulum.

“When we want precision and need an expert we come to Rolf,” said Sarah and Jean-Paul Terelaun who live nearby on Liberty Street. They brought in an old wall clock that has been in their family for generations.

Klotz has been a watch and clockmaker since 1958. According to him, there are watchmakers around but not a certified watchmaker and clockmaker.

“I was trained in the old school as an apprentice back home in Düsseldorf, Germany,” he said. As part of his intense and extensive training he worked on clocks first and then gradually moved to watches.

“The precision craftsmanship training I received in Germany was like a doctorate degree here in United States,” he said, pointing toward the framed certificate displayed on the wall. Interestingly, Klotz’s first dream was to become a car mechanic but his father said he was too small as a teenager to work on cars.

Growing up to be over six feet tall, Klotz is not regretful about his father’s advice to work on clocks. “It is like working on classic cars in a way because I do lots of restoration work,” he said.

Being the only watchmaker and clockmaker in town, Klotz is very proud to be in the profession. Yet, he fears no one will step up to take his place when he retires.

“I have tried several times to pass on my knowledge and expertise, but no one has the time or patience, these days for an apprenticeship,” Klotz said.

“Michael does help me in the shop. But he does not want to be a watchmaker. He likes cooking. Perhaps he might convert my shop into a restaurant when I retire.”

Meanwhile, Klotz hopes someone may step forward.

“I just signed a ten year lease for this place, so I am hoping.”

Klotz Watches and Clocks is located at 2166 Market St. Visit: www.klotzwatches.net or call (415) 701-8463 for more information.

Copyright 2007-2008 Castro Courier