With the holidays now over, professionals all over the country are slowly getting back into their work routines. That means, for some, struggling to get back to being productive for 40 hours (or more) every Monday through Friday.
But what happens once you clock out from work and go home? How do you spend your time?
If you’re like the Watch Doctor and own your own business, the work never really stops. There’s always an email to return, a phone call to take or a Rolex to fix — no matter what time of day it is.
For everyone, though, time away from the daily grind to immerse in a hobby or two is good for refreshing and putting your creative energy elsewhere. For the Watch Doctor, this means going deep into a few hobbies.
For many years, the Watch Doctor has left the office around 3 p.m. during the spring to coach distance running at Kane Area High School for the girls track and field team. The girls’ team has been coached by the Watch Doctor’s older brother, Jim.
The business never stops, though. Keeping with the company phrase that “the Doctor is always in,” the Watch Doctor isn’t one to ignore a customer’s phone call during warmups, stretching or on the track between reps.
Later at night, another few hobbies include building and painting scale model airplanes. (Did you know the Watch Doctor used to run his radio-controlled model airplane business?)
Building with Legos is the current hobby. This includes using any of the thousands of bricks and parts from his children’s sets, looking up new plans online and making new creations.
Other hobbies include cross stitch and growing violets to go along with other daily things like walking with his wife, Jan, and energetic black lab, Charley, for walks all over town every morning.
Mark Sirianni Watch Repair
25 Fraley Street
Kane, Pa. 16735
814-837-9435
814-558-4818 (cell)
watchdoctorpa@gmail.com
10 Comments
Len.
Personally, I love to do ‘hands on’ things.
For instance, I like to do electronics and I like to do woodwork.
However, these thigs are not possible now that I live in a flat.
Back in the 70’s, I built a 25″ colour tv set from component level…..including the cabinet; which I veneered with (In its day, very ‘with it’) teak wood veneer.
In fact, I have built many electronic devices and probably too numerous to mention.
Now, living in this flat, I have turned my interests into watch repairs and servicing.
I am never going to achieve the standards that are reached by experts like Mark, but it’s not about that for me.
For a start, I wouldn’t even consider trying to make money from it by ‘looking at another person’s watch’ with a view to repairing them. No, to each, his own.
Referring back to electronics for a moment and ‘hands on,’ I have always wanted to get involved with R/C model aircraft.
Oh well, flat dweller, keep dreaming!
Lane Frank
This is fascinating. It’s nice to work on large things that don’t require a microscope or magnification. Giving back to the community and enjoying family are wonderful diversions.
Kenneth Ringwood
Glad your Active as being a Watchmaker can do a Job on ones Back,You should be Proud that Your a Mentor for the Schools Track Team,its what this Generation needs more of.Like building Radio Controlled Planes,I used to build Go Carts converting them from Riding Mowers as well as working on Cars.Love that Franklin Mint World Time Globe Clock as I have the same one in our Living Room,keeping Watchmakers up to date has been extremely thoughtful and appreciated.Stay Well!
Paul Baluch
Excellent Mark. Keeping busy keeps you young!!
Steve Hailey
Nice blog entry Mark. I do satellite and other wireless technologies for public safety and gov for a living but also started “playing” with drones and other RC aircraft. When I started I didn’t realize how expensive a hobby it is. Lol. Both my father and grandfather were into electromechanical and electronics and both my sons are into IT so I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. When I was looking at careers my father always said find something you are passionate about and you’ll never work another day in life.
jim simo
I also have a passion for R/C aircraft. I have done it all my life . Started with Cox 049 control line in the mid 70’s then on to control line stunt with 60ft steel cables and .35 engines.
Started flying R/C late 70’s wjth a Goldberg Falcon 56 and a Enya 35.
Fast forward 40+ years , still flying. there are now 10+ planes, 8 helicopters and a couple multi rotors (drones) in my fleet. including a 33% Weeks Solution ( a modified Pitts Special designed by Kermit Weeks) with a 70 cc D&B twin cyl opposed gasoline engine.
5 yrs ago I learned to fly collective pitch helicopters that was without question the most challenging flight discipline I ever encountered. It took 40 or 50 crashes to learn helicopters. I almost gave up told my wife I don’t think helis are for me.
I would go a whole season or more flying planes without a crash. I was not used to crashing everytime I went to the field.
I did stick with it and now I’m a heli pilot who can take off fly do loops rolls big air flying . Not able to do 3D heli flying but can fly and land where and when I choose without crashing.
Thanks Mark for taking care of my wifes and my Rolex’s.
I hope you are still flying
Jim
mark sirianni
I have not been flying my R/C planes for the past few years, my business takes up a bit of my hobby time. Planning to get back into it this year, I still have all of my planes, just need to dust them off a bit!!
Johnny
Great that you have several hobbies that let you “unwind”. Thanks again Mark!!!!
Patrick Bissell
Mark, you are indeed a busy guy with a wonderful family and great hobbies. All that on top of being the best watch doctor in the business. Thanks for all you do.
Michael Maffei
I’ve always enjoyed bicycling; I cycled across Europe in my 20’s (1974). In my later years, I had been disappointed with trying to share the highway with dangerous and thoughtless drivers. Then I found rail-to-trail conversions. This is a great, safe way to explore the countryside without having to share with motorists. I usually go camping and carry the bike on my car. My favorite local trails are Tunnel Hill Trail in S Illinois and the Katy Trail across Missouri. I still go regularly; I’ll be 70 soon. It’s good to have hobbies that you enjoy.