Father Time Horology was started on the premise of keeping the artisanal side of horology alive! Today’s fast paced world has allowed consumerism & industrialization to thrive, making it all too easy to just buy another item when one stops working. But, to have a genuinely mechanical timepiece, one with a unique history, be restored affords the owner with a cherishable instrument no one else would have. Here at Father Time Horology, we do all maintenance/repairs the way they SHOULD be done to preserve originality as much as possible. Our goal at Father Time Horology is to bring your family heirloom back to life and provide for all of your horological needs. 

At an early age, John always wanted to know how things worked mechanically. That innate curiosity produced an irresistible interest in timekeeping and precision instruments, creating the very foundation for Father Time Horology. In 2015, with an optimistic demeanor and an inclination for knowledge, John seeked to become an apprentice at a local watch and clock repair shop here in the Antelope Valley; unfortunately the shop was closing its doors. It was a setback for his aspirations but not a deterrent. John needed to take matters into his own hands and teach himself from books written by master watchmakers.

John’s personal library developed and he acquired books written by Master Swiss & American watch and clock makers, ranging from Perkins, Humbert, Saunier, Reid and LeCoultre to name a few. Additionally, various horological institutes – including but not limited to The Swiss Federation of Technical Colleges (FET), Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program (WOSTEP), and The Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking – published books that provided John with the necessary framework on how to approach the highly delicate work that comes with hands-on experience. By committing to memory the restoration processes of the masters, it became evident that an investment in superior quality equipment would be key for properly handling timepieces and knowing how to properly restore them the way they were made.

Research and studying introduced John to centuries old brands that continue the production of watchmakers and clockmakers tools. Some brands include Bergeon, Favorite (by Swartchild & Co.), K&D, Vigor, K.W.M, and Luthy, plus other antique unbranded tools made in Switzerland, France, England, Germany, and USA. All of which are a joy to use! 

While working as a part-time carpenter in his early 20’s at a local custom furniture shop in Palmdale, John’s interest in woodworking tools and the traditional methods used for working with such antique hand tools furthered his understanding of materials plus that certain finesse for handling age-old items. While the restoration and eventual collection of woodworking tools developed (and John’s already sizable collection continues to expand), so did the discovery of the wide array of horological tools.