In 1951 Michael Samuel Johnson was born on the premises and would grow up to follow his father into the watchmaking trade. At 14 he started tinkering with clocks and at 16 was working in the shop full time with day releases to college to gain the relevant qualifications. By 21 he had passed his 3 year course at the School of Jewelry and Silversmiths in Birmingham, after which he worked full time in the shop as a watchmaker.