Graeme Johnson Jewels and Time
Graeme Johnson Jewels and Time is a family-owned business, established in 1997 by husband and wife, Graeme, and Pauline.
Graeme was born in Wellington, with a love for anything mechanical, in particular watches and clocks. Graeme believes he was born to be a watchmaker, that it was in his blood. After visiting watchmakers in Wellington city and not being able to get an apprenticeship, Graeme put an advert in the Jewelers and Watch Makers magazine, a monthly nationwide publication. A month later a handwritten letter from Alex E Goodhue master craftsman watchmaker of Kaikohe arrived in the post offering the possibility of an apprenticeship. Upon talking to the watchmakers in Wellington Graeme learnt that Mr Goodhue was a highly respected master craftsman watch and clockmaker, known for his extraordinary talents, also a specialist in gear cutting, lathe work and problem solving, a true watch and clockmaker.
A week later Graeme started his apprenticeship with Alex E Goodhue and for the next five years had the honour and privilege of not only training as a watch and clockmaker but living with the Goodhue family.
After Graeme’s formal training was completed ,it was time to become a Journeyman, (a tradesman who travels and practices his trade, learns, and refines his skills.) The first stop was Wellington and a year living and working as a watchmaker back in his hometown. Then it was time for his overseas experience. First stop was the United Kingdom where, after many adventures it was time for a return to reality.
Taking a position with one of the finest watchmaking companies in the world, Rolex – a dream come true, firstly in Geneva Switzerland at the Rolex head office, then London, United Kingdom’s head office and finally Melbourne Australia, head office for Australasia.
On one of his trips back to New Zealand Graeme met Pauline and after a short stint back in Melbourne, decided it was time to come home, where once again he had the pleasure of working alongside Alex E Goodhue, not as an apprentice, but as a fully qualified watchmaker and clockmaker.
After a time, he took up a position as watchmaker and sales assistant with Rod and Anne Hackett, owners of ‘Hacketts Gemtime Jewellers,’ his first taste of working in retail and being a practicing watchmaker. This was the start of an amazing new adventure for Graeme.
Three years later married and a 12 month old son, Pauline went back to her profession of school teaching, and Graeme became a house dad and trade watchmaker, (a watchmaker who repairs watches and clocks for shops in his or her own workshop,) and later moved on to work in a jewellery store in down town Whangarei as a trade watchmaker.
On April 20th, 1997, Graeme and Pauline purchased ‘Hacketts Gemtime Jewellers’, which became known as ‘Graeme Johnson Jewels and Time’.
It was Graeme’s time to fulfil his dream and show his passion for the world of Horology, (the study of time.) With his own business he was able to introduce extensive lines of quality watches and clocks, along with an amazing selection of gold, silver and giftware including Lladro, and Moorecroft,
The aim to be different from other stores and always priding himself on delivering a personal service had begun. ‘Graeme Johnson Jewels’ and Time has evolved many times over the years to keep up with current trends and always going the extra mile for our customers. Graeme and his business have been blessed and privileged to have worked alongside, and employed some truly amazing people, (including his daughter) currently and in the past, which has made this family business of ‘Graeme Johnson Jewels and Time’ what it is today, and continue to take it into the future.
