For Amaratlal (Al) Jogia, seconds really do count. At 85 years old, the master watchmaker continues to ensure that seconds become minutes and hours for his clients at Alberta Time Services in downtown Calgary. With over six decades of experience, Jogia has dedicated his life to the craft of watch repair.
A Lifelong Commitment
Jogia has manned the counter at Alberta Time Services for 47 years, working alongside his cousin until the cousin retired in his eighties. Undeterred, Jogia renewed the lease and continues to take transit downtown daily to his small shop filled with watches and clocks. His son Raj notes, "It's a different generation, with that commitment. He goes in, and he loves to talk to people about his craft. I think it gives him purpose."
Finding Purpose in Work
Despite his age, Jogia's keen mind and cheerful demeanor remain sharp. "My time is gone to be a millionaire," he jokes. "This has become my toy. It's a good combination. I talk to people, and when there's no one here, I work on the bench." He credits work with keeping him healthy, adding, "COVID taught me a lesson. I was stuck in the house, and I said no. Sitting at home at my age is not healthy."
A Family Tradition
Watchmaking runs in Jogia's blood. His father was a watchmaker and goldsmith in Uganda, and Jogia, along with his three brothers, followed suit. Coming from 11 generations of goldsmiths, Jogia learned to disassemble and reassemble pocket watches as a boy in Kampala. At 21, he moved to England to apprentice at Charles E. Green Jewellers, earning certification from the British Horological Institute after five years. During this time, his family faced expulsion when Ugandan dictator Idi Amin ordered all South Asians out of the country in 1972. Between 55,000 and 80,000 people, mostly Indians, were given 90 days to leave. "Dad had to leave school and work to help bring the family over to England. It was a difficult time," said Raj.
A New Start in Calgary
Jogia and his wife moved to Calgary in 1975, and he started his own business in 1978. At the time, only one other in-house repair shop, Calgary Jewellery, existed. Today, dedicated watchmakers are scarce in the city. Raj recalls, "When they started, there weren't many people doing that. They grew the business. It was a real mom and pop shop."
The Shop Today
Jogia and his cousin began with a small workshop on Stephen Avenue before moving to a retail store in 1998 in the former Penny Lane Mall. Their reputation led to an exclusive partnership with Bulova as an authorized service centre. They later consolidated to a single shop at Intact Place, where Jogia works with a staff of three, including a watchmaker from Colombia. Before the pandemic, up to 3,000 people passed by their shop near the Plus-15 system daily. Foot traffic is slowly returning, but Jogia remains dedicated to his craft.
