"The Maharaja had tears in his eyes"

Uhrmachermeister Wolfgang Domann has repaired antique chronometer in India. (Foto: pr)

Wolfgang Domann repaired antique clocks at the Maharajah of Jodhpur

by Christopher v. Savigny, Iserbrook – When it comes, to repair broken clocks, travels Wolfgang Domann even to India: The watchmaker spent two weeks in the palace of the Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur, to antique chronometer from the colonial period to make passable again. The enterprising tinkerer was accompanied by six colleagues, like Domann belong to a nationwide specialist group for historical Watches. The spouses were of the party.
Almost 100 antique, mechanical timepieces - from tiny pocket to 80 Centimeters high clock - had lying in his arsenal, the Indian rulers. Since 60 Years they were not overtaken, let alone mounted. "During the rainy season, the air here is warm and humid", erklärt Domann. "For watches the worst, what you can imagine, because everything is rusted very quickly. "Domann suspected, that much of it came as gifts to India. "My people, could repair something, have they not there. "
For this reason the German master watchmakers had to bring their entire tool itself - after all, 20 Kilo for Person, including a lathe, which is used for drilling tiny holes. And then screwed, cleaned, polished, oiled and adjusted. And reassembled at the end.
Domann is proud, a large, to have brought French Portaluhr running again. This can even make music. "The Maharaja had tears in his eyes, when he heard the built-in music box ", he tells. "He knows the clocks from his childhood."
In the unusual business no money changed hands. The visitors from Europe paid the flight, the Maharaja cared for food, Logis and a recreational program. "A fascinating experience", resümiert Domann. "Even, because you know country and people can learn quite unlike a
Package tour. "

Items in same week Journal. 35 at the 29. August 2012

 

As a watch restorer at the Museum Peterhof in St. Petersburg 2010

Peterhof St. Petersburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For 2. Time the master watchmaker Wolfgang Domann from Hamburg was again in Russia in St. Um im Petersburg to Uhrenrestaurator 22 Castles comprehensive Museum Peterhof – 30 km west of St. Petersburg to work on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland.

It's been a little adventure in this setting also to live.

Was used, where once lived the ladies, a building, which was converted years ago to a hotel.
Near the big castle with its beautiful cascades.

Here at Cascades Domann had the opportunity to its Internet - to monitor transactions and to answer e-mail its worldwide customers based.

Wolfgang Domann has been interested in antique clocks for decades.
And be well over 10 Years a member of the Section restorers in the craft based on Raesfeld.
In several courses would the master watchmakers, taught to the resident Academy of Craft, to be able to identify and classify historical antique clocks.
This happens, among other things with the material determination, through design features and by assessing the architecture of a work.
Every age has its architecture, which in turn has an impact on Watches.
It would in these courses also taught the correct form of restoration, which can be simplified so named. Change as little as necessary - get as much as possible.
Wherein the target is set to bring the clocks running properly.

Museum of Peterhof, discharges the years since master watchmaker from the Federal Republic, knowing, that a high level of specialist knowledge of experts is available to work here as a restorer can.

Care was taken also with an extensive cultural entertainment program provides some variation.
The watchmaker visited some castles, two concerts and toured the observatory of St. Petersburg.
At the end of the stay, handed over the Russian hosts each Uhrmachermeister a certificate of the Minister of Culture.
It was thanks and appreciation “for the valuable assistance” pronounced.

This assistance is for the 7 A watchmaker Volunteering and serves international understanding.

Wolfgang Domann, Hamburg im August 2010

The Russian TV visited us in our work at the Museum Peterhof: