It’s circa 2010 and it’s a world when a table clock or wall clock is more of a decoration than a device used for knowing time. These days its cell phones, laptops, PDAs, Tablets, which serve additionally as a clock.
Today I was trying to find a key, when I came across my first mechanical table clock. I bought in USSR in 1991 when I went there to study Computer Science. So this table clock is 19 yrs old. I used it for 2-3 yrs till 1993-1994 after which digital clocks took over, and this modest clock was discarded in a cupboard as an antique.
I hoarded many things in my 6 yrs in USSR. And when I was coming back to India for good I had to decide on very few things which I can get back to India. And I kept this table clock as it reminded me of my old college days, and the alarm which woke me every day. And yes this clock had stopped functioning till then. But I still got it back.
I came to Bangalore and 1997. I lived in many rented houses till I bought my first house in 2002 and then my second apartment in 2007. And in all these house moves I somehow always kept this table clock. Looks like I am really attached to it.
And today on 20 Nov 2010, 19 yrs after buying this table clock, I took it out from the confines. I knew it was not working for more than 16-17 yrs.
Suddenly I got an idea. I know it’s a mechanical device and I know Russians are very good at making mechanical devices. I was sure it would have not rusted and the problem could have been simple.
I winded the table clock and shook it, but it did not tick. I opened the two screws, removed the metal cover and sprayed it with WD-40. It’s a liquid lubricant for stopping squeaks, driving out moisture etc, for mechanical and even electronic devices. I had a feeling that I am doing the right thing :-). I sprayed a lot of it in the mechanical parts of the table clock. And then shook it well.
And Eureka ! It started ticking. I could not believe my eyes at the oscillating parts of the table clock, and my ears at the distinct ticking sound. I knew this sound so well. No digital clocks make this sound. And this mechanical tick, like a beating heart, made me feel as if a dead loved one is back to life again. It was all Euphoria ! And while I am writing this blog it’s still ticking… (See its photo above which I clicked now.)
Mahtab Syed
Sat, Nov 20 2010
2 comments:
Quite touching...you can continue writing it a good stuff
Strange that I did not read it for quite long. I happen to read it only today after a month of posting and found it really impressive.
I remember this clock very much and the blog made me go through my old album in search of one of the old days photographs that would have it. Will show one of those when we meet.
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