Clock Project: Rejuvenating an Old Timer

Published on 30 September 2022

The Waitaki clock tower will be shut down from 12pm this Sunday 2 October for the refurbishment of one of the districts favourite old timers.

Once the clock stops, local horologists, Mathers Jewellery and Time alongside Apex Engineering will begin the second and final stage of the clock mechanism refurbishment.

This will include the disassembly of the clock and the chiming mechanisms. The team will check all bearings and moving parts for wear. All the auto winding chains will also be replaced.

Once the investigation is complete, any parts that require replacement will need to be manufactured for this bespoke piece of history. This will of course, take time. Pun 100% intended.

The first stage of the Clock Project was completed at the end of 2021 which included the refurbishment of the striking hammers and associated components.

Projects and Assts Officer, Toby Armour said, “We look forward to bringing one of Waitaki’s icons back to full working order – with all its bells and hands. However, we’ll need to watch and wait as the investigation and manufacturing process will take time, hands down.”

The intention of stopping the clock at midday is to make it as evident as possible that the clock has stopped on purpose.

We thank the public for your patience during the repairs of this important Waitaki icon.

If you would like to find out a bit more about the clock towers history and take an online 3D tour, head to Virtual Waitaki.