James Hay, of Timepieces NZ in Outram, Otago, had his work cut out for him with the switch to daylight saving time at the weekend.
A career highlight for Mr Hay, who has been a watchmaker for 37 years, was repairing the torsion pendulum Beverly Clock, which is housed in the University of Otago physics department and is the only one of its kind in the world.
What is one strong childhood memory?
Family camping holidays by the river at Fairlie, Mid-Canterbury. That was back in the days when the only thing to worry about was that time-honoured essay when returning to school: What did you do for the holidays?
If you were going to an island and could only take three things, what would they be and why?
Chilly bin full of beer, a deck chair and a talking book. It's been a long time since I've had a holiday and an island sounds like an opportunity to me.
What is your least favourite thing about humanity?
Our ongoing ability to do each other in and the lengths we go to in order to achieve this.
What is your message?
If in the army, do unto others before they do unto you. For the rest: I've dealt with a large cross-section of people over the years and can honestly say it's a shame ignorance isn't painful. Let's all try to think before we speak.
What's something only your family knows about you?
Nothing really. I'm an open book and most people aren't interested enough to turn the page.
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James
Our cuckoo clock has been playing up. A cuckoo is supposed to pop out on the quarters and call in that typically cuckoo manner. It's a Swiss thing.
Since NZ Summertime, the cuckoo has gone! It's gone! Now, a man comes out, calling 'Kuku!'. Who is Kuku? It's a good question, so I am obliged to ask.