Hands of Time
by Rebecca Struthers
'An extraordinary work'
reviewed by Mol Smith
ISBN-10 1529339049
ISBN-13 978-1529339048
Purchase as kindle, paperback,or hardback
UK USA Canada Australia
PAGE 2
Clever, simplified illustrations of exploded watches, the verge escape movement and there are full colour photographs including one of a Lebombo bone from 44,000 years ago. It is, Rebecca explains, carved from a finger-sized piece of baboon fibula, and is considered to be the earliest potential timepiece discovered to-date. It has etched into its surface twenty-nine notches, dividing thirty spaces which is an average lunar month. It has wear patterns, meaning it was regularly used, and is clear evidence of calculation linked to the passing of a lunar orbit: a month.
For a microscopist, most of those involved with the hobby probably look at animal or plant life, but increasingly our lives are being enhanced or moved away form the natural world by (made better or worse?) the introduction of technologies, which miniaturise the machines and electronic accessories that we now employ and new generations take for granted. This is a pyramid industrial system where we make machines and tie them to computer systems to work at a micro level beyond the capability of our eyes and hand movements. But when you look at watches from previous centuries in detail and observe them close-up, you can only bow and salute the incredible craftsmanship of the watchmakers who made them.
I think both Rebecca and her husband are like many expert watchmakers: they preserve the skill and creations of brilliant artisans and micro-engineers of the past.
(click on the image to see full size)
(click on the image to see full size)
Rebecca explains how many of the tools and equipment required to both repair watches, create new parts, or make brand new watches necessitates locating old machines and repairing them to do a professional job.
(click on the image to see full size)
Photos used by kind permission of Rebecca Struthers & India Hobson - the photographer