steampunk clock (2022) Sculpture by Artūras Tamašauskas

A woman from the city where I live contacted me and offered to give away items for disposal. Among them was this clock, which, of course, did not work with broken parts and a broken winding spring. I was thinking of using clock gears for my future works, but after looking more closely I realized that I can fix them and use them for their intended purpose. Then the idea arose to turn it into a steampunk-style clock, decorated with old antique brass details, and most importantly, with each stroke, a lamp installed on the upper part of the clock's case would light up. It's like becoming a kind of mini-factory, producing time and solidifying sound with an instant flash of electricity.

I shared this idea with my son-in-law, Paul, and he enthusiastically agreed to help in the field of electronics and programming, where he dives like a fish in water. In this case, battery power was not suitable because there is little space inside the case. A decision was made to supply power through a 220V voltage cable. I chose a vintage style LED 6.5W brown clear glass dimmable lamp and a three core braided vintage cable, which I liked the most and suited the overall look. A microchip is used, for which a program is written that allows you to change the delay time, if necessary, so that the beats coincide with the flashes of the lamp. An adjustable current switch is also included, with the help of which the light intensity can be reduced or increased to the desired level.

After many attempts, we managed to achieve the desired result. All wires and connections are properly insulated with heat-resistant insulating tape, the mechanism is grounded. I found the front of the clock to be too clean and contrasted with the case, I wanted to give it a vintage charm, so I aged the dial with the help of acrylic paint and painted it in grey-brown, mold-like shades. The result exceeded expectations. The clock did not have glass, we had to contact the stained glass specialist Aivaras to cut it according to the dimensions. We used 4mm (altdeutsch) glass. It is unique in that it contains chaotic scratches, air bubbles, creases that are not repeated on the next sheet. It is a very unique, I would even call it artistic, glass. At the back of the clock, I attached a part of the brass trumpet, which seems to represent the speaker and at the same time adds an important detail to the clock body, and the bronze legs add grace.

So, in summary, I want to celebrate the result and the satisfaction of being able to resurrect this doomed clock and give it another story, dictated by its new location, but wherever it is, it will keep the time as accurately as it once did in remembering times past...

Details used:

Old clock "JANTAR"

Part of the brass band

Dimmable Vintage 6.5W LED lamp

Mechanism of a mechanical watch

Brass details

Related themes

ClockSculptureSteampunkFoundobjectartUniqueart