“Until now I have been able to make all the clocks,” says the Dutch expert. “Finding parts in particular can be a challenge. Because the materials are so old, sometimes there is only one solution: to copy a replacement part yourself.”
Fjodor van den Broek, who comes from Zeewolde, had had more than six years of training and a number of years of work experience before he moved to the palace of the Queen came to work. “But if I can’t figure it out, I can always ask a colleague elsewhere for advice. And luckily there is a long history of reports that I can consult: documents that keep track of exactly what repairs have been done over the years.
History of the clock
The function of the antique timepieces in the palace – and beyond – has changed over the years. Everyone now has their own clock on the phone or as a watch, and they often run more accurately, says Van den Broek. “But it used to be the only source of timekeeping for the people in the palace. Over the centuries, the clocks became more accurate and sophisticated. You can also see them changing in style and design throughout history.”
Working as a watch conservator is a unique, but unfortunately dying profession, concludes Van den Broek. “Which is a shame, because clocks have played a bigger role in the past 650 years than most people realize.”
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