H & W Perrin (Canadian Distributor Info) (2024)

Before I start, I have no affiliation with this company whatsoever.

A short while ago, someone on here mentionned this distributor that is located in Toronto, Canada. I had never heard of them before, and was not quite sure what they offered, so I sent them an e-mail, and requested a catalog. They do have a website, but it doesn't have much on it (as far as I remember).

I just got the catalogs in the mail today, and MAN was I surprised at the ammount of things they carry. Take a look at the catalogs:

Included in there is:
-2006 calendar
-Clock parts catalog (125 pages)
-List of new German movements available
-Full colour catalog of Tools, Supplies, & Equipment (390 pages!)
-Watch parts catalog (107 pages)
-Watch tools and acessories catalog
-Watch crystals catalog/list
-Watch movements catalog/list
-Watch batteries catalog/list
-Watch/Clock tools catalog (65 pages)
-two other brochures, and a form listing their return policy

All this was *free*, and they have anything and everything you'd ever need. I will definitely be trying them out. They have more watch materials than clock materials, but the clock repair stuff they have is about equal (or more) to what Timesavers offers (I'm just using Timesavers as an example).

Before I start, I have no affiliation with this company whatsoever.

A short while ago, someone on here mentionned this distributor that is located in Toronto, Canada. I had never heard of them before, and was not quite sure what they offered, so I sent them an e-mail, and requested a catalog. They do have a website, but it doesn't have much on it (as far as I remember).

I just got the catalogs in the mail today, and MAN was I surprised at the ammount of things they carry. Take a look at the catalogs:

https://mb.nawcc.org/

Included in there is:
-2006 calendar
-Clock parts catalog (125 pages)
-List of new German movements available
-Full colour catalog of Tools, Supplies, & Equipment (390 pages!)
-Watch parts catalog (107 pages)
-Watch tools and acessories catalog
-Watch crystals catalog/list
-Watch movements catalog/list
-Watch batteries catalog/list
-Watch/Clock tools catalog (65 pages)
-two other brochures, and a form listing their return policy

All this was *free*, and they have anything and everything you'd ever need. I will definitely be trying them out. They have more watch materials than clock materials, but the clock repair stuff they have is about equal (or more) to what Timesavers offers (I'm just using Timesavers as an example).

Hello Sooth, thanks for your posting. I think we have similar ideas. I actually bought some stuff from them last week. I drove there and it was a well worthwhile visit.

However, I would still shop some other stuff from Timesavers and perhaps other suppliers. Perrin may be especially useful for big, heavy items you'd prefer not to ship.

If you intend to visit them to shop I suggest you order before you go. They are not a showroom facility and cannot be expected to wait on you while you figure out your shopping list from the catalogues. Ask most of your questions before you go - 800-387-5117 (or fax 800-741-6139). The staff was very friendly all the same. One very neat item I got was a lightweight set of "eye glass loupe" from Donegan Optical - works really well with my tiny wireframe spectacles (3X + 5X = 8X). I don't think it was in the catalogues yet.

Michael

Harold, I agree gas prices (especially north of the border) makes driving to Toronto a budgeting dilemma.

However, if you can combine such trips with other errands or a visit to family then it makes great sense. That's how I do it BTW.

If you buy heavy but cheap goods it also does not make sense to pay postal or courier charges plus those detestable customs duties, excise taxes rigmorole we get from Customs Canada. I am fed up with our money grabber government. After 30%+ income taxes, 15% sales taxes, they often want even more for stuff not made at all in Canada. They do not want Canada to get ahead, they just want to tax as much as people can bear while maintaining a bearable standard of living. Mediocrity.

Anyway. so much for my venting against the insane Canadian tax system. I feel better now.

Michael

Originally posted by harold bain:
Michael, you are right on about being overtaxed. If our elected representatives did not waste about 70% of the money we give them, perhaps we wouldn't have to give them so much.
However, I still think we live in the best country in the world, and I have no desire to move. We just need smarter (and more honest) politicians.
Harold

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Harold, I agree on balance Canada is the best country for most folks.

But I recently spoke to an oncologist (cancer specialist) in BC about clocks and somehow he told me he was very upset about our government. He said he didn't like any of the parties or leaders but he definitely wanted to get rid of the current bunch of crooks.

He said our healthcare system is totally out of whack and our taxes are being wasted. He pointed to the many redundant and useless layers of administration in BC's healthcare system (they have 4 layers of administrators who do not provide any healthcare service - just admin).

He gave an example of a former nurse who works as an administrator in the BC healthcare adminstration. She recently got a raise of $150,000 over her last year salary, acting as a consultant! These people are milking a tax-funded goldmine!

The doctor also complained about MBAs being hired by the administration who were alienating the healthcare staff and creating bureaucratoc bottlenecks in the system while having no clue how the system functions.

He said our healthcare system is crashing because the original national healthcare idea was born in an earlier age when we only had 3 antibiotics, 2 chemo anti-cancer drugs, no such thing as ICU, CT scans, MRI and the rest of the expensive drugs and machines. In essence, we can't afford all these new "tools" but there is no driver at the wheel.

What has this got to do with clocks? Well, they tried to tax me US$ 419 for a US$ 1,100 clock today. It didn't work but I had to waste an entire afternoon because of these tax issues. After several days of discussions, the doctor and I decided to vote Conservative in no uncertain terms.

Michael

Originally posted by harold bain:
I still think we live in the best country in the world, and I have no desire to move. We just need smarter (and more honest) politicians.
Harold

Click to expand...

Hi Harold, I think we all need smarter & more honest politicians, no matter where we live. It seems to be a fairly universal problem. I am a little confused however. You say you live in the best country in the world. So where in Australia do you live ? Sorry for getting off topic, I just couldn't let that one go!

Cheers
Peter

Originally posted by leeinv66:
..Hi Harold, I think we all need smarter & more honest politicians, no matter where we live. It seems to be a fairly universal problem. Peter

Click to expand...

In Canada, we don't have a problem of stupid politicians. They're very bright...too bright.

Our problem is corruption like asking for and taking bribes, spending tax money as the bribe money. Taking kickbacks as well.

Then there's today's local newpaper headlines. The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons of Canada flipping the next door real estate property for a 122% profit in 3 months.

Do you know who paid him that profit? A local company owner who gets money from the Export Development Corporation (EDC). The EDC is a Canadian government crown corporation that uses tax money as loans and grants to "convince" foreign countries to buy from Canadian businesses.

The drift of the headline story was that this real estate flip was an engineered pay-off to a leading minister by a private company that got Canadian tax money to finance its export business from the Liberal government.

I can't wait to see tomorrow's headlines.

Michael

Michael, do you ever get the feeling that you’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg? If that’s what’s making the papers, just think what’s going on out of sight! Down here the State Premier is in hot water over accepting an all expenses paid weekend in a posh Hotel/Casino owned by a family that just so happened to be granted a gaming license here the following week. Who knows what else he was given for his nod of approval! The funny part is that the same family owns about a third of the media outlets here (newspapers & television stations) and not one of those outlets carried the story! It’s all too scary to think about, I think I will go and get lost in one of my clocks.

Cheers
Peter

Originally posted by Sooth:
Wow guys, REALLY off topic now. That's like the 4th time in a day or two.

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Sorry Sooth, I guess clocks, taxes and government really "wind me up"!

Michael

Please keep it horological guys. Thanks.

Regards,

Hi all:

Just for your information, Perrin's is one of two horology supply houses in Canada. The other being Page & Wilson in Vancouver. I still find the selection and pricing, better in the States, and rarely use either of the Canadian supply houses.

Cheers,
Doug

I actually haven't had much time to compare prices, but when I order from the states, I usually get hit with at LEAST an extra 20-30$ in fees for customs, so depending how close their prices are, I might actually save a bit of cash depending what I buy.

The main point of this entry was just to let people know about this place, as another option.

All,

I like Perrins for a lot of reasons. But in particular, I like the fact that, if they aren't able to supply an item on my order when it is placed, they automatically back order it, and I get it when available. With some outfits, they notify you when the item is available again, and you have to re-order. Being as I do watches AND clocks, I find the convenience of ordering from ONE source convenient, and I only pay postage once. AND, no 10 day delays coming through Canada customs! Their clock material catalog is superior to any other I have seen. And they stock the goods!