Shop Local: The Lost Art of Watchmaking

Since the advent of battery-powered timepieces a half-century ago, traditional watchmaking has become an increasingly lost art in American society.

In South Pasadena, however, the time-tested trade continues to be practiced and in demand.

, located at 1401 Mission St., has been selling and repairing jewelry and mechanical watches in South Pasadena since 2006. The business was previously located at 711 Fair Oaks, but moved to its current space directly across from the last month.

Jean Boujekian, a second-generation certified master watchmaker, owns and operates Vana Watch and Jewelry along with his wife Tiffany. The shop is named after a region in Turkish-occupied Armenia that is world-renowned for its watchmakers.

A Pasadena native, Boujekian first learned the trade at the age of 12 from an uncle in New York City and his mother in downtown Los Angeles—both of whom remain active in watchmaking and jewelry repair. Now proudly displayed along the back counter of Vana Watch and Jewelry are the various certificates of accreditation Boujekian has earned during his lifetime of study.

Finding a certified watchmaker should be imperative for anyone that needs to have a watch repaired, Boujekian said.

“Anytime you walk into watch shop you have to ask for a certification,” Boujekian said. “That way you know your watch is going to get the service it deserves. The only people that could match up to my expertise are the factories.”

He added that high-end mechanical watches can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years if serviced every five years as is recommended.

The Only One Around

A lack of certified master watchmakers in the region—Boujekian believes he is the only one currently operating in the San Gabriel Valley—has helped to make Vana Watch and Jewelry a South Pasadena success story.

To illustrate the point, Boujekian said Vana currently has a three-week turnaround time for pieces brought in for repair.

“This has become a dying art, absolutely, and it’s really because nobody has the patience to do this anymore,” Boujekan said.

“The demand is still there, but [watchmaking] takes a long period of time to learn. That’s what it takes to do this—patience, dexterity and a clear mind.”

Vana customers can expect to pay from 20 to 30 percent less for repairs than other watch shops, because the work is done on-site with no shipping costs.

In addition to the store’s busy workshop in the back, Vana features nine cases in the front that display numerous lines of high-end watches and assorted jewelry. Watch brands include Hamilton, Swiss Army, Luminox, Citizen, Omega and Rolex.

Since moving to its location on Mission St., Boujekian said sales have seen an increase.

“It’s been wonderful moving here,” Boujekian said. “There is a lot more foot traffic here we’ve had more new walk-in customers.”

Vana Watch and Jewelry also provides a consignment service for those looking to sell their vintage jewelry and watches. The shop puts it on display and charges a 30 percent commission on all sales.

“We love South Pasadena and want to be able to help out every customer that comes in here and make sure they're happy,” Boujekian said. “We are successful with that at least 98 percent of the time.”

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