I have been fascinated by watches for as long as I can remember, and timepieces have always been part of my life. I was given my first watch when I was at the Dragon and, although only basic, I still have it to this day. It marks the beginning of an enduring passion, my current profession, and is the starting point of my diverse collection of watches.
Fast forward a few years and I’d collected some other watches, often given to me by family members keen to encourage my interests. Some worked, some didn’t, and it wasn’t long before I decided to see what was going on inside and try to fix them. My first forays into watch repair had mixed success, but I think my sense of inquisitiveness and desire to find out more comes in part from being a Dragon. No matter the particular interest, I always felt encouraged to pursue it at school and teachers were always keen to hear about what I was doing.
After many years of thinking about it, I founded Jarrott Watches, through which I now offer my services to paying customers. Going from a passion to a business is always a bit of a leap, particularly on your own, but things are going really well. I have customers from all over the country, many of whom commission custom built watches, and I also fix the watches of the local Oxfordshire community.
The company name comes from my middle names, Charles Jarrott, who was my great-great-great uncle. He was a pioneering racing driver at the start of the 20th century. He won the 1902 Circuit des Ardennes – the first ever closed circuit race – and went on to co-found the Automobile Association, and the Olympia Motor Show, both of which are still going to this day!
There has always been a strong link between watchmaking and motorsport, and I feel the name is a fitting tribute to the shared values of performance, attention to detail and an uncompromising desire to succeed. To that end, I am currently working on a prototype for my first own-brand watches, which will be inspired by the racing exploits of Charles Jarrott.
At the end of 2022, I was admitted as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. The Company was granted a royal charter by King Charles I in 1631, and it is a great honour to be part of such an august and long established Livery. Many of our members are doing amazing things in the world of mechanical watchmaking, which is currently enjoying a resurgence of interest and development.
If anyone reading this wants a custom built watch, do get in touch! https://jarrott.watch
images: (top) Zander at the Dragon, (bottom) Zander being admitted to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
