The Detroit Watch Guy — John Shiha on Rolex, Watchmaking & Building a Career at Lucido Fine Jewelry

John Shiha didn't grow up planning to become one of Michigan's most respected watchmakers. He started at 14 — cleaning cigarette burns off the showcases of a mall jewelry store after his grandfather made him work 13-hour days just to take the job. From there, it was the last high school watch repair program in North America, one of the youngest acceptances ever to the Rolex watchmaking school in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and a cold call to Vince Lucido that turned into a handshake deal and a career.In this episode, Jake Berkal and Frank Zombo sit down with John, now General Manager at Lucido Fine Jewelry, for a wide-ranging conversation on the craft, the business, and the culture of luxury watches. We cover what actually happens during a full Rolex service, why Rolex is designed to be worked on a decade later, the philosophy that you don't own a Patek Philippe — you take care of it for the next generation, why fakes are a hard pass, and how to start a meaningful collection at any price point. Plus John's takeaways from Watches & Wonders: the Rolex 100-year Jubilee dial, Gerald Charles' perpetual calendar, and the value play happening at Grand Seiko.If you've ever wondered what makes a $500 Seiko worth keeping for 50 years, why 904L stainless steel matters, or how an authorized dealer relationship actually works — this one's for you.Big thanks to John for coming on. Visit the team at Lucido Fine Jewelry — Sterling Heights, Rochester, Birmingham, and beyond. www.lucidojewelry.com Follow Dealer Out of Office for new conversations with the people, brands, and craftsmen behind the automotive and luxury worlds.