A frontrunner of the UK’s luxury watch industry, Arron Honzik’s entrepreneurial journey began in the unlikely place of a hospital bed.
In 2016, Arron’s spine was broken as the result of a devastating accident, and amid fears that he wouldn’t survive, he was placed in a medically-induced coma to aid his recovery. Against all odds, Arron eventually regained consciousness and was greeted with two pieces of news that would change his life forever – the first was the incredible announcement that he would soon become a father, and the second was that he would never walk again.
Despite facing such adversity Arron was determined to provide for his new family, and in tandem with his intensive treatment and care, he sought to secure a career that would enable him to generate a steady income despite being paralysed. Motivated by the words of Elon Musk, who once stated that anyone can become a person of value in just a matter of months, Arron looked to learn a new trade from scratch, and with guidance from his father-in-law – Lusso Founder & CEO, Wayne Spriggs – he quickly found the perfect path. Aware of his keen interest in luxury watches, Wayne gifted Arron a copy of the The Rolex Report: An Unauthorized Reference Book for the Rolex Enthusiast which reignited his admiration for high end timepieces and inspired him to embark on a new venture. Arron studied the book intently, researched the UK’s luxury watch market, and quickly went on to successfully source and sell his first Rolex – all from within the ward at James Cook University Hospital.
While he was still hospitalised, Arron and Chloe – his partner of 12 years – also welcomed the birth of their beautiful daughter which made him even more resolved to succeed in his chosen industry. As a natural negotiator, he continued to buy and sell luxury watches online, and built a strong reputation as the go-to specialist for luxury watch collectors and aficionados looking to buy and sell rare and hard to find pieces. When he was finally discharged from hospital ten months after the accident, Arron was ecstatic to be reunited with his family, and although he was still confined to a wheelchair, his continuous endeavours meant that he was in a stronger financial position than ever before and excited about the future of his new business – Time Trader.
In a move that disrupted the luxury watch market, by 2018 Arron had created the UK’s most trusted online network of watch dealers, simplifying the process of locating and securing in-demand watches via Whatsapp Messenger. By using this 21st century approach to source the most desired watches within much quicker timeframes, watch dealers nationwide were able to trade pieces without even leaving the office. The following year, Arron also further expanded Time Trader by launching a dedicated eCommerce store which retails pre-owned watches from the most renowned brands in the world such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille.
Less than 12 months later, and with a great deal of determination and intensive physiotherapy, Arron eventually regained his ability to walk – his remarkable recovery can also be attributed to the unwavering support from his family, friends and NHS specialists, for which he is forever thankful. Being literally and metaphorically back on his feet further increased Arron’s drive to push his business forward, and in 2019 he opened the doors to its first physical location, offering personal consultations and a discreet retail experience to select clients via an appointment-only boutique within Acklam Hall – a prestigious Grade 1 listed building in Middlesbrough. In response to growing demand, Arron also bolstered his team with the appointment of his cousin, Grant Honzik. With extensive experience as a technician, Grant has rapidly expanded his knowledge of the luxury watch industry and is now a reputable diamond specialist with expert diamond grading skills.
Together, Arron and Grant dominate the Great British watch market, and from humble beginnings, a venture shaped by adaptability, innovation and sheer grit has evolved into a highly-regarded multi-million pound business, with an increasing number of discerning celebrity watch enthusiasts seeking its specialist services.
While continuing to expand his business, Arron remains dedicated to his partner Chloe, his daughter Sadie, and his wider family. He’s also committed to supporting the Middlesbrough community where he was born and raised, and along with his father Ian, is an active fundraiser for the Teesside Family Foundation which aims to improve the quality of life for those in need across the local area.