I’ve been looking at some old, former businesses on Glasgow Road form the early 1890s. Long since forgotten, but worth recording here for the services they provided to Victorian Blantyre residents.
Robert S Minto was a Watch and Clock Maker, also Jeweller, on Stonefield Road, Blantyre.
In Summer 1892, they took out a very descriptive advert which said:
WATCHES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AT ALL PRICES.
WATCHES SUPPLIED ON THE EASY PAYMENT SYSTEM.
Through being placed in incompetent and inexperienced hands for Repair, hundreds of Watches and Clocks are often so badly used as to be absolutely ruined beyond redemption. The complicated fine work of Lever and High-class Watches requires the most delicate handling and skilful manipulation. The slightest error in adjusting or balancing renders a Watch virtually useless for the purpose worn, namely, a RELIABLE TIME-KEEPER, and it is therefore not only essential, but positively necessary, to point out that, to maintain a Watch in GOOD GOING ORDER so that it may be thoroughly reliable at all times, it should be cleaned and regulated at fixed intervals, varying of course with the wearer’s occupation, but averaging about Twice every three years.
Customers are invited to remember that, in order that Repairs may be properly executed in a workmanlike manner, fair wages must be paid and fair charges made.
The custom at this Establishment is to do the work thoroughly and TO CHARGE AS MODERATELY AS IS CONSISTENT with reliable work. Every transaction is personally supervised and overlooked, and no effort is spared to ensure perfect satisfaction; it is an accepted fact that scamped repairs are about the very worst investment that can be made.
Besides making Watch and Clock work a specialty, JEWELLERY REPAIRS of all kinds, ALTERATIONS, REMOUNTINGS, &c., receive every attention.
RE-GILDING and RE-PLATING equal to New, at most Moderate Charges.
Photo : For illustration only (Not Robert!)
