Repurpose your vintage clock components instead of disposing them
In a small workshop nestled in the heart of the city, a clockmaker's magic unfolds. The craftsman, with a keen eye for history and a love for mechanical precision, transforms the old and forgotten into functional works of art.
Recently, five clocks were discovered in an attic, hidden away for many years. Upon initial inspection, they were filthy and appeared beyond repair. But to the skilled eye, these clocks were a treasure trove of potential.
Three of the clocks came with mechanical movements. The E N Welch 30-hour Ogee movement and case, the Elisha Manross time and strike steeple clock, and the Ansonia Extra Drop time-only, 8-day wall clock were all part of this collection. The Welch ogee and the Waterbury mantel clock, despite being beyond repair, were salvaged for parts.
The clockmaker's art lies in the repurposing of these old clock movements and parts. Functional components like gears, springs, and escapements are extracted and used for repairs, restorations, or crafting new clocks. Decorative or worn parts can be transformed into other functional or artistic objects, sometimes even as unique crafts like wind chimes.
This practice offers numerous benefits. Reuse in repairs and restorations enables the use of working parts from old movements to replace worn or broken pieces in similar clocks, maintaining the original integrity and value of antique clocks. Crafting new or customised clocks allows for artistic and mechanical combinations, blending old mechanical precision with new design. Alternative artistic uses give disassembled components a new life in unique forms while preserving their acoustic or aesthetic qualities.
The benefits of this repurposing are manifold. Cost efficiency is achieved by using existing parts, reducing the expense of manufacturing or purchasing new components. Historical preservation is ensured by keeping and reusing original parts, helping to preserve the historical and mechanical authenticity of clocks. Sustainability is promoted by reducing waste and the environmental impact associated with discarding usable mechanical parts. Supply reliability is maintained as certain antique or specialized clock parts may no longer be manufactured, so saving parts ensures availability for future repairs. Lastly, creative and functional value is added to repurposed components, inspiring innovative designs and functional artworks beyond traditional clockmaking.
While detailed clockmaker techniques for repurposing are not extensively documented, these general practices reflect how craftspeople in horology value and reuse old clock mechanisms and parts.
The Elisha Manross steeple clock, with its rare brass mainsprings, has the distinction of being the only one in the writer's collection. After being cleaned up and serviced, it now takes pride of place in the writer's home, a testament to the art of repurposing. The Ansonia Extra Drop time-only, 8-day wall clock is now hanging in the writer's office and runs daily, its ticking heart a constant reminder of the past brought to life.
The veneer from the Welch ogee clock was used to cover the finial bases for an old Scottish tall case clock, giving new life to a worn piece. And the four clocks, purchased for $20 from a local online for-sale site, are now a collection of treasures, each with its own story to tell.
In the world of horology, the art of repurposing is not just about fixing broken clocks or creating new ones. It's about preserving history, promoting sustainability, and inspiring creativity. It's about giving new life to the old, and in doing so, honouring the craftsmanship of the past and the potential of the future.
- In the writer's home, a vintage Elisha Manross steeple clock proudly stands, having been revived after a thorough cleaning and servicing.
- The Ansonia Extra Drop time-only, 8-day wall clock is now a daily reminder in the writer's office, ticking away like a heartbeat from the past.
- The worn veneer from an old E N Welch 30-hour Ogee movement and case was repurposed to cover finial bases for an antique Scottish tall case clock.
- The clock collection, started with a $20 purchase of four clocks from a local online for-sale site, now tells its own unique stories and embodies the principles of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, entertainment, and food-and-drink.
