The Repair Shop - Series 14

Into the barn this time to work with horologist Steve Fletcher on a rather special chronosphere, brought in by Robin. It was built by his great-grandfather and features a grandfather clock mechanism that rotates a globe. The modified meridian and additional numerals around the equator are designed to show the time anywhere in the world—or so claims an old newspaper clipping fixed inside the clock’s stand. Robin, however, had never seen it working.

While Steve focuses on reviving the mechanism and restoring its long-lost tick, I set about examining the globe itself. Using an endoscope, I locate the original lead shot inside, which is essential for balancing the rotation and ensuring the clock mechanism can function correctly. Once replaced, I turn to restoring the details of the abraded paper gores.

Seeing—and hearing—the chronosphere come back to life was a real joy, and Robin’s reaction to the first tick and chime was truly heart-warming.

Check out BBC’s The Repair Shop: Series 14, Episode 14, to see how it turns out. Broadcast on Wednesday, 16th April on BBC One, and available on iPlayer.