HEIRLOOM CLOCKS

Hand-crafted Quality Clocks in Solid Hardwoods
by JOHN L. QUEEN

2495 Seine Road,
Duncan, BC V9L 3B3 Canada

Tel: (250) 748-9935
E-mail: queenj@brentwood.bc.ca

John L. Queen was born in Haslemere, England and came to Canada in 1969. Between 1969 and his retirement in 2001, John taught physics and coached rowing at Brentwood College School in Mill Bay, BC. Known affectionately as J.L.Q, John does miss his students, but compensates by pursuing the clock-making hobby that struck him in 1985.

"I just enjoy working with wood and the first one set the bug flying. It all started because my grandfather had a lovely wall clock I wanted, but he left it to my cousin".

John starts with the unassembled, precut clocks and first dry-assembles the clock with screws. Each clock is tailor-made to the customer wishes.

Each clock can take up to 14 months to complete. John first assembles his precut clocks loosely with screws. The clock is then unassembled and each piece is individually sanded and stained. Each clock gets four to six coats of hand-rubbed finishing. The clock is then reassembled and the clockworks are installed.

Setting the pendulum swinging in the clocks is where John's passion for physics comes in. The pendulum is from either Germany's Hermle or Urgos firms. Once the pendulum is set, the clock will run for 200 years.

John donates 10% of each clock sold to Brentwood College. Although officially retired, John still spends much of his time at the college and is in touch with many of his former students.

When asked about his retirement, John joked "everyone said to stay busy so I'm just indulging my hobby and subsidizing my income."

"I'm creating something that's still going to be here in 200 years time; it's so satisfying."

2495 Seine Road
Duncan, BC V9L 3B3
Canada

Tel: (250) 748-9935
E-mail: queenj@brentwood.bc.ca