A few years ago my Grandson at the age of 16 started doing a few jobs for us on a daily basis he had been coming in & out of the workshop since the age of 12 doing some cleaning some setting up making the odd cup of tea but that was usually left to me LOL so i decided to set him a task to see had he learnt anything, i was so proud of him !
We had a kit clock in stock it dates from the mid 80s, its a great wheel skeleton clock designed by another clock maker Malcom J Wild, anyway he was given the clock to work on we had no paperwork with the clock but we have got many years experience so i sat at my bench & got ready for the many many questions i expected him to ask anyway he asked a few but not as many as i expected & im proud to say he got the job done, unfortunately he did not stay with us & decided clockmaking was not for him ??? I do think its an age thing & im hoping he does return some day because he seems to have natural ability so fingers crossed.
The Skeleton clock was often something an apprentice clockmaker was given the task to build as this type of clock would give the apprentice a chance to show his skills ie making the many components needed, making & polishing the frame making the hands mounting the dial polishing all the wheels & pivots etc etc, Then the master clockmaker would inspect all this work to see if his apprentice has been paying attention, not all skeleton clocks are apprentice made many where commissioned & are very valuable & are stunning to behold.