Intangible Cultural Heritage - Ancient Clock and Watch Restoration Techniques

Ancient clocks and watches are a special type of collection in the Palace Museum. They are important relics reflecting the grand occasion of cultural exchanges between China and the West in the court during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Palace Museum has more than 1,500 clocks and watches, ranging from the 17th century to the early 20th century. The existing ancient clock and watch repair technology in the Palace Museum originated from the clock making department of the Qing Palace Workshop. It is the only traditional skill that has been passed down from the Qing Palace to the present day and has never been interrupted. The clock making department of the Qing Palace was the royal workshop. According to historical records, Emperor Kangxi summoned outstanding craftsmen from home and abroad to serve in the royal workshop in 1693. In the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, after the clock making department disappeared, a few maintenance personnel still worked in the palace, including Xu Wenlin, the first generation inheritor of the clock and watch repair skills of the Palace Museum. The clock and watch repair of the Palace Museum has continued the traditional master-apprentice system, which has been passed down from generation to generation. So far, there are 5 generations of inheritors, and there are 7 professionals engaged in the repair of ancient clocks and watches.