"TIMELY ADVICE TO WATCH OWNERS!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 181, 17 November 1941, Page 2

"TIMELY ADVICE TO WATCH OWNERS!

The. "Home News," published in New York and claiming a guaranteed circulation of 150,000 copies, devotes space as newspapers generally do to "'Letters to the Editor." Furthermore, in appreciation of the "constructive and informative" let" ters sent by readers for inclusion in this column, 5 dollars is paid each week for the letter which the editors of "Home News" consider of "greatest value 1 to the community." Among the letters selected for publication in its issue of July 20 the following was published under the head-line, "Offers Timely Advice": Editoir, "Home News": This is the time of year people generally have their watches cleaned and repaired. Before having a watch repaired, open the back and count the number of jewels. I know many people who have one or two jewels left out of 17. This is an old trick, so play safe and look before you leave your watches with aiwone. MARGARET WARD, 1173 Colgate Avenue.

This letter came to the attention of Jacques Leßoy, regional Vice-Pre-sident of the Horological Institute of America, chairman of its Examining Board, and himself an active member of the Horological Society of New York, says "National Jeweller," who l promptly wrote to the editor of the "Home News," cited the letter in question and commented as follows:— "It is inconceivable to me that rin editor should permit su'sh a ridiculous article to be printed, especially when it is the pride of every editor to print only news that's lit to read. "Let me illustrate to* you the impracticability of even dishonest watch repairs taking out jewels.

First, the jewel lias no commercial value as a gem. Second, it is impossible to remove the jewel once *it is set without breaking the jewel or damaging the setting, which in this case would ruin the watch.

"I would be glad to give you a demonstration cn the above impracticability to prove how an ignorant person can harm honest jewellers attempting to earn a livelihood."

This may be the height of the "silly season," when the sen serpent rears its horrid head and almost anything is liable to happen—in the columns of unsuspecting newspapers. But for "timely advice" to 150,000 readers "Home News" is certainly in line for the prize!