By Staff
EXCITING HOBBY Queen City Timekeepers Chapter 167 holds meetings every other month at the Kendallwood Building in Highland Park. In the foreground is W.L. Landrum, president of the chapter, holding a pocket watch belonging to one of the chapters members. In the background are members David Sessums, left, Jake Ammon, Gordon Kent and Billy Covington. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall / staff writer
Jan. 5, 2003
They call themselves "tinkerers" and they are passionate about gears, mechanisms and the history of the clocks and watches in their collections.
They are members of the Queen City Timekeepers Chapter 167, part of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
Gordon Kent refers to his interest in watches as the "thrill of victory and agony of defeat."
David Sessums has about 180 watches in his collection.
I could have done that'
Chapter members say people collect for different reasons.
The clock had a problem, and Landrum sought out a local minister who repairs clocks.
That's when his interest in clocks began.
The chapter has about 20 members and has met every other month since 1993.
Swapping expertise
Meetings include information on technical problems, repairs, restoration of clock movements, case restorations, refinishing and watch repair.
There are programs on the history and life of famous clocks and watch makers. The members also enjoy selling and trading.
Billy Covington of Meridian said he has no problem finding watches.
Covington has even found a watch in a garbage.
Favorite clock
One of Landrum's prized pieces is a clock he said looked like it had been in a hay loft for years. It was painted sea foam green. He rescued it, rebuilt it, refinished the wood and restored it to its original condition.
Members agree that you need to have a love of history and restoration to be part of their club.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
What: Queen City Timekeepers
Next Meeting: Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Kendallwood Building in Highland Park
For information: Call W.L. Landrum at 485-5544 or Gordon Kent at 626-8248