In this digital age of cell phones, Peter Whittle has nonetheless repaired thousands of traditional timepieces at his repair shop in Wayne, writes Allison Steele for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

From 19th-century pocket watches to modern Rolexes, Whittle has brought time back to his customers over the 20 years he has run Whittle’s Watch Works.

Whittle’s shop takes in more than 1,000 watches a year. Several times a year, he turns away customers for a month to catch up.

Sixty years ago, there were more than 50,000 independent watchmakers in America. Today, there are fewer than 6,000, according to Bureau of Labor estimates.

Few new craftsmen have joined the industry — and business has boomed for people such as Whittle.

“Watchmakers everywhere are turning away work,” said Jordan Ficklin, executive director of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute.

Whittle, 64, knows his profession is a dying art — but it doesn’t seem that way when his small storefront is filled with customers.

“People say no one wears watches anymore,” Whittle said. “But at home, somewhere in a drawer, you might have your mother’s watch, or your grandfather’s watch. And one day, you might find that you want to get it repaired.”

Read more about Peter Whittle in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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