The hands line up right at 1, which is just perfect, explains Lars Neilson, a watchmaker at Schwanke Kasten.  Perfection is always the goal for watchmaker Lars Neilson and its been the goal for Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers for even longer.The family-owned business in Whitefish Bay is celebrating 125 years. These are so well made and we maintain them at such a high level that we like to see them handed down to the next generation and thats what we like to do here, is work on heirloom pieces here at Schwanke-Kasten, Lars adds.Owner Tom Dixon says Schwanke-Kasten is one of just a few jewelers to offer repairs right on-site.  Weve got the best of the best downstairs. I call them the Elves, Tom says. Theyre down there working away and doing a fantastic job.Tom is proud to represent a family of staff that has always strived to be the best. This is a pin that, in the 50s, we won a Diamonds International Award that was from a nationwide competition, Tom says, showing off a sparkling brooch. And we recreated this pin and a couple of other pieces from these old archives that Charlie unearthed.Many of Schwanke-Kastens vintage sparklers have stood the test of time.Its like stepping back in history to get one of these wonderfully ornate rings or earrings or something, says Charlie Dixon, President at Schwanke-Kasten.Now those high-end pieces are a metaphor for the four-generation business that helped create them. Charlie Toms son and heir says that success has a source.  Its family, says Charlie. And honestly, our staff thats been here that long, some of them have been here and watched me grow up.Its kind of cool for me, now, to be able to work with Charlie. Im sure Im not doing everything right, Tom says with a laugh. But Im trying to give him some space to grow to, to make a couple of mistakes, to be his own guy.But Charlie is quick to share that his business model wont change too much.Watch: Celebrating more than a century of business. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers celebrate 125 years of sparkle and serviceThe trick is to treat the customers like family, too.I think part of the big thing is making them feel comfortable enough to come into a jewelry store, Charlie says. That can be intimidating in itself!Those customers are often celebrating a milestone an engagement, a promotion or the birth of a child.Now they get to wear this piece of jewelry and feel like they have some connection to the past, Charlie says. Something thats special to them.Its a connection the Schwanke-Kasten team feels with every customer.When they say youre part of our family! And I kind of thats a little odd but I guess! I guess Ive been with a lot of people for Ive been doing this for close to 40 years, Tom reflects. I guess you really do build strong relationships with those people and trust.And if you bring something precious to this jewelry store, Lars says you can trust that theyre going to do one thing:Make sure we leave everything better than we found it.Its about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for TMJ4 on your device.Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip