Time is a man-made construct. Although there are elements of nature that move in cycles, it was humans who decided to document these passings. Today, it feels as though time rules our lives, while clocks keep our progress in check. Many people may find this stressful, but not clockmaker Darryn Clark. His interest in horology is enabling him to spend his time doing what he loves.
After discovering the fascinating history of different timepieces and the rare skills required to restore them, Clark became a clockmaker’s apprentice. This meant training three nights a week over and above his day job. “I put in the hours and made it worth my while,” he says. Thirteen years ago, Clark opened his own business and has gone on to fix pieces over 100 years old, dating back to World War I. He’s also restored the clocks of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town City Hall, Bishops Diocesan College, and the Groote Kerk. “I find a lot of reward in putting things back together,” Clark says.
In a fast-paced world, we often struggle with the patience to learn new things. But Clark is using his time to pursue a rare hobby that’s given him a heightened sense of freedom. “Find your purpose because if you don’t, you will never be happy and you will never be fulfilled,” he says. As we proceed from era to era, time is lost. By repairing clocks from every age, Clark is able to bring history to life while keeping track of his future.
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