Preserving a piece of history at Second Hand Horology

Time pieces can be found in many forms. From vintage pocket watches to the latest styles including wrist watches, modern pocket watches and watches set in jewelry, made for men and for women.

All of the above can now be found, and much more, at the recently opened Second Hand Horology store at 4900 Hononegah Road, at the former location of Your CBD Store in the Schnucks Grocery center. The unique business is owned by Stephen Brown and Genesis Sequera. 

Their Horology brand is devoted to preserving pre-owned vintage watch pieces. The name horology is derived from Horus, the Egyptian god of time.

Brown said he once had a collection of 640 watches. His grandfather was a trained horologist who made, sold and repaired time pieces. After his grandfather passed away, Brown began studying horology and collecting vintage pieces. “I read a lot of books about vintage watches and how to repair them.”

The couple lived in Taylorville, IL, before moving to Roscoe about four years ago. Brown was in the automotive industry for 16 years, working for Napleton and Anderson Automotive. Sequera is a native of Venezuela. She was trained as an industrial engineer, but had difficulty finding a job in her field.

Both had always dreamed of going into business for themselves. They started Second Hand Horology as online dealers. “We have sold about 4,000 watches, mostly online so far,” Sequera said.

Brown believes every watch tells a story. “We consider our business unique in the marketplace.”

“We not only preserve vintage watches, we sell and repair watches, and will be selling jewelry, as well,” Brown said. “We also sell and install watch batteries,” he added.

The store is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 m. and open Saturday, 10 a.m. -4  p.m. Information about Second Hand Horology can be found at 217-802-6098 or www.secondhandhorology.com. Their inside entrance is next to Wild Birds Unlimited and Great Clips, at the side entrance to Schnuck's.

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