Dying Craft Still Ticking in Palm Harbor

You could say the in Palm Harbor has truly beaten the hands of time.

“We have been in business for 40 years because we do it right,” said Ruby Nailos, co-owner of the shop, which specializes in all types of timepieces, from Black Forest cuckoo clocks to high-end Rolex watches.

Her son, Norman Nailos, is a certified master clockmaker and co-owner of the shop. He began learning the art of clock and watch making when he was only 12 and apprenticed under his father, John, becoming the third generation in his family to take up horology.

Norman later accepted an invitation to study abroad in Switzerland and learned to perfect his skills under some of the finest master clock and watch makers in the world.  

The Clock and Watch Shop also has one very loyal worker. Cuba native Jorge Acosta has been working at the shop for more than 30 years. He, too, learned the craft from Norman's father, who took Acosta under his wing after he arrived in the U.S. during the Mariel Boatlift. “He is part of the family,” Ruby said.

All repair work is done on the premises, no matter how large or small the job, with Acosta assisting in repairs. “Since customers cannot possibly bring in grandfather and grandmother clocks for repairs or cleanings due to their large size, Jorge does house calls,” Ruby said.

“He takes all the movements out of the clock, including the weights and pendulum, does the work at the shop and then returns them when the work is complete,” she said.

In addition to repair work, the Clock and Watch Shop sells watches, custom jewelry and clocks. “We do it all,” Ruby said. 

The business resembles an old-style shop and features clocks from Italy, Austria, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and England in a variety of sizes and styles.

Ruby says the steady stream of regular customers has helped make the business a success. “We have been very blessed in this dying trade," she said. "Our customers are loyal and have been coming to us for many years.”

The Clock and Watch Shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.