MEET WILL MATTHYSEN: CLOCKMAKING VIRTUOUSO

We humans live within a triad of physical phenomena: SPACE, MOVEMENT and TIME. The three are intertwined in multiple ways and experiences. But TIME remains the most mysterious.

The revolution of our planet and its journey around the sun, with its seasonal shifts, are large scale indications and experiences of TIME.

From very early in human history, we invented ways of tracking and measuring the passing of TIME. Water clocks and sundials were part of that.

Organising TIME into units and then accurately depicting those units and the “time of day” came with clocks : mechanical tickers of time.

Today, we have achieved truly extravagant ways of measuring time down to the tiniest units.

And our lives are now fully tied to measuring, tracking and “obeying” the disciplines of time around the globe.

But we still have clocks. Vintage clocks and newly created clocks that pay homage to tradition.

In the Melbourne suburb of Warrendyte, artisanal clockmaking virtuoso, Will Matthysen, has his workshop.

Will is South African born. He initially studied architecture and worked in that field.

After migrating to Australia, he also studied watchmaking and returned to a love from his teenage years … making clocks.

And what clocks they are!

Peter Clarke visited Will Matthysen in his workshop.

WILL MATTHYSEN WEBSITE: https://www.willmatthysen.com

REFERENCES:

JOHN HARRISON CHRONOMETER PIONEER https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harrison

FOILIOT (VERGE) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verge_escapement

REMONTOIRE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remontoire

ELTHAM AND DISTRICT WOODWORKERS https://www.elthamwoodworkers.org.au