Independents

pplater
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This is not a clock…

… it is so much more than that. It is a work of art; a high-point of craftsmanship which also conveniently happens to tell the time – and then some!

There is much to be appreciated in David’s ‘magnum opus’ ; paradoxically, as much for what is not there, as what is. This is not a modernist ‘reductio ad minimum’ interpretation of a classic, nor a neo-retro homage; it is all it needs to be in order to carry the mark of its maker and to pay respect to history; no less, and not a whit more.

In a clock of this scale and of this importance (make no mistake; it is important) it must have been a constant battle to resist the flourishes and finishes that would have had the capacity to detract from the purity of line and the purity of purpose. No excessive filigree or inlay, no irrelevant decoration, polishing or engraving: just perfect bookmatched veneer; precision engineering; simple beveling; satin finish.

Why important? In this clock David has provided continuing life support to concepts that are at imminent risk of dying out, or being forgotten. Focused ordinarily, as we are here, on wristwatches, we tend to overlook the fact that fine clockmaking has had its own life and death struggle with the advent of quartz and computers, just as watches had. Arguably, though, it takes an even rarer breed than the Independent watchmaker to invest the time, ingenuity and energy required to build a ten foot paean to concepts of time which for the common man today have little or no relevance. David and his ilk are the conservators of these temporeal traditions, both in concept and in form. We owe a great deal to them in that respect, and to the few foresightful sponsors who continue to commission their works. It is upon their shoulders that other creators of great timepieces are borne.

Don, thank you very much indeed for giving oxygen to David’s work. Hopefully we will see more of it from time to time (no pun intended) under your masterful moderatorship.

Cheers,

pplater.