cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
19529
A Symphony of Russian Clocks
Hello Fellow Purists,
I've recently returned from a tour of Russia. Our group of 18 was there primarily to see old Russian icons - in churches and museums - but of course when a Purist is on holiday his/her eye may wander towards timekeeping devices, right?
We spent 15 days in rapid motion - walking, climbing stairs, stumbling in and out of buses, eating a variety of food, charging our cameras and phones, and only rarely sleeping. Each day we walked an average of 10 km and did 15 flights of steps. I carried two cameras and looked this way and that for interesting scenes to film. Having grown up in the Fifties and Sixties Cold War era, as our respective countries were challenging each other in the Space Race, I was taught very little about the Soviet Union except that they were Reds, wanted us all Dead, and lived behind Iron Curtains. This was my chance to see how (a) what I was told might be true or not, (b) how things have changed, (c) how the church survived despite the Soviet era, (d) how they checked the time, etc.
Today we will focus only on (d) and without further rumination, can we begin our tour?
We will run this tour like clock work, so walk this way everyone ...
Not literally, you guys over there! Stop fooling around.
I meant follow me and don't lag or you'll be left behind...
St. Basil's in Red Square is a place we can start.
In virtually any city center area I spotted a clock. Of course, I only was able to capture a fraction of what I saw.
In addition to the public clocks, a number of museums and public buildings also had interesting timekeepers.
I was amazed that most of them were running.
In addition to the clocks, I also saw several displays of rose engines for dial (and medal) making.
Other lathes and clock-making tools as well.
There was no shortage of money in Russia (among the rich) and they knew how to flaunt it.
Sorry, it says Swiss Made but it was on the street in St. Petersburg.
At times we could see Church and State at the same time.
Public clocks were a civic responsibility of the town council - how could people be anywhere on time if they weren't informed?
I like the clocks better in situ.
Photographic proof I was on a bus in Russia at the time the new WatchProSite UI was released.
I was glad to see Seiko didn't miss the chance to get in on the clock business - this is in Estonia, one of the former Soviet republics.
That almost wraps it up, and I see it's time for me to catch another bus.
Whoops, through the window, over my shoulder - another clock!
St. Basil's in Red Square is a place we can start.
In virtually any city center area I spotted a clock. Of course, I only was able to capture a fraction of what I saw.
Sometimes I didn't see the clock at all, but my camera did. Notice the reflection in the window at top left?
In addition to the public clocks, a number of museums and public buildings also had interesting timekeepers.
I was amazed that most of them were running.
In addition to the clocks, I also saw several displays of rose engines for dial (and medal) making.
Other lathes and clock-making tools as well.
There was no shortage of money in Russia (among the rich) and they knew how to flaunt it.
Which as we all know, came to haunt them.
Here's a close-up of the animated figure on the clock
Once in awhile Almost always, I was amazed by the beauty and scale of these clocks.
No matter what the size. This one is larger than my dorm room in college.
Here's a close-up of the animated figure on the clock
No matter what the size. This one is larger than my dorm room in college.
Hey wait, didn't de Bethune invent "coiled snake" hands?
"Hey you in the back, come on, we're getting onto the next bus!"
Sorry, it says Swiss Made but it was on the street in St. Petersburg.
At times we could see Church and State at the same time.
Public clocks were a civic responsibility of the town council - how could people be anywhere on time if they weren't informed?
For centuries we knew how to build clocks, but not how to make watches affordably. So "the people" had to take care of telling each other the time.
By complete chance in a museum tower room we came across a tower clock exhibit:
I like the clocks better in situ.
Photographic proof I was on a bus in Russia at the time the new WatchProSite UI was released.
I was glad to see Seiko didn't miss the chance to get in on the clock business - this is in Estonia, one of the former Soviet republics.
That almost wraps it up, and I see it's time for me to catch another bus.
Whoops, through the window, over my shoulder - another clock!
I hope you enjoyed this tour. I certainly enjoyed Russia and its people (despite the on-going, large scale world events, the man in the street seems pretty much the same)
A Symphony of Russian Clocks
Hello Fellow Purists, I've recently returned from a tour of Russia. Our group of 18 was there primarily to see old Russian icons - in churches and museums - but of course when a Purist is on holiday his/her eye may wander towards timekeeping devices, righ...
Wonderful photo tour through Russia via clocks
I always enjoy my trips there and like you said, the people are very, very pleasant and hospitable. Some really interesting pieces you managed to capture!
Tour and clocks
Very cool travel pics. Looks like an interesting place to visit, thanks for sharing your travel adventures. Regards, Ed