TARLAC CITY, Tarlac – In an era where smartphones have largely rendered traditional wristwatches obsolete, a humble watch repair shop along F. Tañedo Street continues to defy the digital age, quietly surviving the test of time.
From generation to generation for almost half a century, Tarlaqueños have been bringing their watches to be fixed at this specific place because of the family that had earned the reputation of repairing watches.
Nowadays, that legacy is carried by Karlo Dijamco, a 33-year-old third-generation horologist who has made watch repairing a tradition in the family that he learned from his grandfather, Teddy Dijamco, 78.
The grandfather founded the roadside shop in 1980, building a reputation for quality work that made the family name synonymous with watch repair.
For 46 years, the shop has occupied the same spot on F. Tañedo Street, serving a steady stream of loyal, old-time residents and new customers seeking expert watch repairs.
Karlo notes that many of their clients have been loyal for decades — mostly elderly patrons who still appreciate the intricate art of horology. Above all, he takes immense pride in the sterling reputation his family has meticulously built over nearly half a century.
“Yung iba alyas lang nilalagay nila na pangalan, yung sa amin apelyido,” Karlo said.
This enduring trust stems from the exceptional service provided by his grandfather and father, transforming the Dijamco name into a household word among local watch owners.
Though he initially pursued a different career path, Karlo eventually found his way back to the family trade.
In 2016, he left that job in order to assist his father in running the watch repair shop.
When asked why he walked away from his former job to join the family trade, Karlo offered a remarkably simple reason.
“Mas okay kapag may business ka, kaysa may amo ka,” he replied.
Since taking over, he has dedicated himself to mastering the meticulous craft of horology, a trade that demands immense patience and time. Unlike standard corporate jobs with a fixed salary, his livelihood depends entirely on the hands of the clock and the number of malfunctioning timepieces brought to his counter.
“Yung kinikita ko, tamang makakakain sa araw-araw. Minsan P800 o P700. Pinakamababa yung P300. Iba-iba ang presyo kapag ganito ang trabaho mo, hindi pare-parehas,” Karlo shared.
While his daily earnings fluctuate, the shop still generates enough to cover basic expenses and keep the decades-old family legacy ticking.
For Karlo, watch repair is much more than just battery replacement, strap adjustment, or mechanism repair.
“Skills ito, hindi basta-basta,” he explained.
In an era dominated by digital devices and rapid modernization, the Dijamco family refuses to let their rare craft fade into obscurity. When asked what keeps them at the workbench, Karlo points to a deep respect for family tradition and the quiet satisfaction of the work itself.
“Ito na yung naging family business. Hindi mo na maiwanan dahil kumikita naman, and parang hobby na lang din. Yung importante ay nae-enjoy mo yung trabaho mo,” he said.
Forty-six years after Teddy Dijamco first opened his doors in 1980, the shop remains a fixture on F. Tañedo Street, catering to a loyal clientele who still value restoration over replacement.
As technology continues to evolve, the skilled hands of the Dijamco family persist in doing what they do best — quietly keeping time alive, one timepiece at a time.
For Karlo, every repaired watch represents far more than a transaction; it is a vital link to a legacy built by his grandfather, strengthened by his father, and now safely entrusted to him.
