Morden jeweler reflects on time change and family tradition – PembinaValleyOnline.com

As Manitobans turned back their clocks this weekend, one local jeweler is reflecting on how timekeeping has shaped both his family and his business. 

Appelt’s Diamonds CEO Jeff Appelt says his family’s connection to time began more than 85 years ago, when his grandfather, Benjamin, started repairing watches in Morden in 1938. 

“It was interesting,” Appelt said. “I saw one of his log books the other day, and it was in June in 1938, and what he was charging for servicing a watch. What we would charge now, it would be about $150, and I’m sure he was giving someone a little bit of a deal, maybe when he just started. He charged, get this, one dollar. He had the most perfect penmanship. Every entry was recorded with care and precision.” 

(Submitted photo) Bert Appelt, Jeff’s dad in the family business, surrounded by clocks.

Four generations of craftsmanship

That attention to detail, he says, is something that continues to define the business. Now in its fourth generation, Appelt’s Diamonds remains one of Manitoba’s few family-owned, multi-generation jewelry companies. Jeff is pleased to be working with his own son.

Appelt admits that while fewer people rely on watches to tell time, the appreciation for them as meaningful, timeless accessories remains strong. 

“Most people check their phones for the time, but watches have become more of a jewelry piece,” he explained. “Sometimes I wear mine even when it’s not set right. It’s just part of what I love.” 

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Memories of time change

Time changes have always been memorable for Appelt. As a teenager working in his family’s Morden store, he would spend hours adjusting every display watch by hand after the clocks moved forward or back. 

“I remember working at our store in Morden when I was about 13 years old.” Appelt recalled, “And I would come in, and it was after the time change, guess what I would be doing? I would be setting every single watch in the showcase one hour, either forward or backward, depending on the time change. It takes a long time to set every single watch. And then my dad would come up, ‘Oh, you missed one.'”

Jeff and his dad Bert Appelt at the 2022 Grand Reopening in Morden 

The value of precision

Despite a world that’s gone digital, Appelt says the craftsmanship behind watchmaking and jewelry still matters. 

“Everything my grandfather did was about precision and pride in his work,” said Appelt. “That kind of care never goes out of style.” 

National recognition

“We were one of the finalists, and then they called Appelt’s Diamonds the winner and gave a little acceptance speech. It felt a little bit like the mini Grammys or something like that. And it was really cool. It was a great evening. A lot of jewelers from all around Canada, manufacturers, and people in the industry. It felt very special. I was very proud of my grandfather, my dad, and our entire team that we have too, because it’s not just me, it’s everyone around me. I can’t do it myself.”

Appelt shared what he was thinking as he was on stage. 

“I thought about him when I accepted the award,” he said. “He wouldn’t even recognize how far we’ve come, but he’d be proud.”