I found joy following my father’s footsteps as watch repairer – Shitta-Bey, Saxine Horological Services CEO

Ms. Taiwo Kadiri Shitta-Bey is a very bold woman who defied societal expectations, opting to follow her father’s footsteps as a watch repairer.

At only 18, she keenly observed and was intrigued by the precision and concentration her father invested on each watch he repairs, plus the smiles of satisfaction from his customers each time they come to collect their timepieces.

That was what lured Ms. Shitta-Bey into dreaming to become a horologist like her father.

Many not only doubted her competence to manage her father’s company, but they also questioned her ability to flourish as an artisan in a technical, male-dominated handiwork.

But 35 years down the line, she has silenced her critics, as her company, Saxine Horological Services has grown from strength to strength.

In this interview, Ms. Shitta-Bey tells how she has excelled in her craft over the years, how she handles the challenges inherent in repairing wristwatches and offered advice to women who are shy or disillusioned at pursuing their passions.

How long have you been in the watch repairing craft?

It’s been for 35 years. I joined my daddy in 1985. I became interested when I was just 18 years old, and he taught me how to repair watches. After about six months, I went to YabaTech for additional training in Horology from 1985 to 1986. From there, I came back to my dad’s shop to continue my training in the craft.

Were you the only child your dad had?

No. I’m the fourth born but I’m the one that developed a keen interest in the job.

What sparked your interest in the craft?

It’s God that directed me to it. Also, my dad contributed too. As a child, when I visited him in his shop, I loved the way he handled the wristwatches, and how he related with people.

My dad, Kadiri Sulaiman Shitta-Bey, trained as a horologist in France. Then from Cote d’Ivoire, he went to France before he came back to Nigeria to set up his business. So the way he handles watches, and the way customers appreciated him, really encouraged me because he’s an honest man to the core.

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Did people try to discourage you when you made up your mind to become a watch repairer?

Yes, people kept discouraging me. Some told me horology was very hard to learn. But I told them that I’d try my best. And I’m very happy that I learned it well.

How have you made your craft stand out from others, especially male horologists?

I ensure that my workshop is well exposed and that the setting is neat enough. The way I set up my business here is different from roadside people. Also, because of the calibre of my clients, I make sure my shop is well-arranged. Most of my clients are commissioners.

The professors in LUTH, UNILAG and other corporate organisations do come here to repair their watches. So, for people like that to come here, I had to make my shop presentable, so they can sit, relax and rest assured that their wristwatches are in safe hands.

At 18 when you started was there any time you felt like quitting the handiwork?

Not at all, because my dad was always there to encourage me. And he was happy when I told him I wanted to learn the work. He needed one of us, his children, to succeed him. So when I told him I wanted to learn, he was happy and ready to support me.

How profitable is this craft? Would you say it is worth someone’s time?

It is very rewarding. I trained my two children up to university level with this job. I’m a single mother, and I single-handedly trained both of them with the proceeds from work.

Besides that, I know several other things that I have achieved in this business. I don’t do other businesses. I don’t sell watches because it is not as lucrative as repairing them.

What’s your advice to women that do not have the courage to step out into jobs that society label as men’s jobs?

My advice to them is that they should try and follow their dreams. Anything a man can do, a woman can do better. If only they can put in their best, they will surely succeed.

Most women feel that there are some handiworks that should be left for men like this one that I am doing. I want them to know that what a man can do a woman can do better if only they can give it their best shot.

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Where do you see yourself in the next five to 10 years?

I am up already and I’m still going higher. I have customers from all over the world. The coronavirus affected my business, otherwise, my clients based abroad bring their wristwatches for me to repair.

We chat on WhatsApp, or they call to book appointments with me. They trust and have confidence in me. So, I see myself going higher, and a global figure in my line of craft.

What is the satisfaction you get repairing watches?

For my customer to enjoy what I do. When I repair watches and my customers are happy with the job I’ve done, I get satisfied. That’s my joy because I don’t like it when I work for people and after a week or a few months, they start complaining. I don’t like it.

That’s why I give 12 months guarantee on my batteries and six months guarantee on repairs. I do so because I’m sure about my work. And I know they will enjoy it for more than one year.

Even some of my customers return after two or three years just to service their watches when they notice that they have enjoyed their watch for over three years.

I do watch servicing too, and replace old and worn-out parts of the watch. Whenever I repair or service a watch, I dismantle it to find out the fault with the timepiece.

After checking, replacing it with another part or repairing the fault, I service the watch and clean the components one by one to prevent rust. A watch is also like a machine. If I dismantle a watch for you and you see everything in pieces, you’ll be surprised.

Where do you source your materials?

I have someone that supplies that. If I can’t get the parts around, they bring it in for me from abroad. I go for very high-quality parts because I don’t deal with cheap things. I don’t expect you to come with your good watch, and I now fix rubbish into it.

No, I don’t do that. That’s what roadside watch repairers will do. They know they can’t repair it, even if what is wrong with the watch is a simple fault, but since they can’t handle it, they remove the engine and put the fixable ones. For me, I go for the real engines.

There are some engines that sell for N10,000, N15,000, and even N20,000. There is a market for luxury watch parts. If it’s not presently available, they order for it and they send it in a week or two.

Have you made efforts to encourage youths and even women to come into this trade?

I have. A lot of times but you know they are lazy. They do tell me that the job is not easy, that it is very hard. And that they can’t do it. Some girls and men have come here and told me that they can’t do the work, so they just run.

I know that if they are patient and focused, that they would not only learn but also flourish in the craft. They can do it. But if they don’t make up their minds, they won’t be able to do it.

I have thought of organising training, but I haven’t seen people that are interested and serious enough. Our youths are lazy. They want quick money. They don’t want to do something that requires a lot of thinking. They want easy-going work.

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I want people to gain knowledge. I want to pass on my knowledge unto others. That’s what God wants. I don’t want my knowledge to die with me. I wish to see people that are interested in the skill.

You said something about your father being appreciated for his skill, are you also being appreciated even as a female horologist?

Yes. Many of my customers do appreciate my work. They appreciate me a lot.

Could you tell us how much is the most expensive watch you’ve ever repaired?

Gold wristwatches, original gold. 18-carat gold.

What challenges have you faced in this line of work?

You know customers are always right. But you see some people, they accuse me wrongly. They know what they came here with but later, they’d tell you, they came with something else.

That’s why, if you’re coming with new wristwatches, I’d check everything and note it down so they don’t come and start saying something else. Even, one of my customers came one time that she brought two watches for me to repair in 2014 and now came back after five years for the watch. She said she’d collect N2.5 million from me for the two wristwatches.

She came with the card. I do give my customers cards. Some of them do misplace their cards though but based on trust, I’d give them the wristwatch because I can’t expect you to leave the watch but if it’s someone I can’t really trust, I’d ask them to sign at the back.

Sometimes, to tell a gentleman or lady to sign that they’ve collected the watch sounds embarrassing, so, based on trust, I’d give them. This woman came with the card after five years that she wanted to collect the watch. I told her that I’m not owing her any.

Under the card, you’d see there that watches not collected after three months, you’re not liable for anything again. She started shouting, wanted to create a scene, went to Barracks Police Station, I called my lawyer, and we transferred the case to command. I stood my ground with her.

I told her I’d give her N20,000, she said no way, that she’d collect N2.5 million from me. The commissioner there even said that I was not owing her but she felt they were being partial.

She later went to human rights at Alausa, they told her if she goes to court, that she’d lose the case, that why would she leave her wristwatch for over five years. It was then, she dropped the case. Those are some of the challenges we face.

Any last words?

I want to encourage men and women to learn this trade. They will gain a lot. It’s not what you can find just anywhere. And make sure you set the business up well, not like roadside people. Set up your business well and do it with honesty, you will surely succeed.