National Watches

Erragadda is a busy place and our shop at 8-4-393/15/4 is right in the middle of it. It’s a small room, honestly not much bigger than a walk-in closet, but it’s ours. I spend most of my day sitting at the front counter. I’ve lived in this part of Hyderabad my whole life, so I know a lot of the people who walk past. They stop in for small things like a new strap or because their watch stopped ticking this morning. Most of the time it’s just a dead battery, which is a quick fix. I have my tools laid out on a piece of felt so they don't roll away. The traffic outside is always loud because of the main road, but inside it’s mostly just the sound of small gears. I don't have a big sign or any flashing lights. People know the shop is here. Sometimes I help out the neighbors with other small mechanical things too because I’ve always liked fiddling with tools. The walls have a few clocks that all chime at slightly different times, which can be a bit confusing if you aren't used to it. It’s a simple setup. I open up around ten in the morning and stay until the street lights come on. It isn't a job that will make me a millionaire, but it pays the bills and I like being my own boss in this little corner of Erragadda.