Bursa watchmaker restores kinetic clock after 52 years

In Bursa, Turkey, watchmaker Hüsni Kemal Kalkan has successfully repaired a kinetic clock that he had originally set aside in 1974 to be used for spare parts. After finding the missing component two years ago, the 72-year-old craftsman restored the half-century-old timepiece to working order.

Kalkan, who has been in the profession for 58 years, is now displaying the restored clock in the window of the 18-square-meter shop he operates with his son, Fatih Kalkan. The kinetic clock is currently listed for sale at $1,500.

Kalkan noted that interest in mechanical and kinetic watches has declined due to technological advancements, making the craft a niche pursuit for enthusiasts. He also expressed concern regarding the decline of the apprenticeship system, observing that fewer people are seeking to learn the traditional trade compared to previous decades.