Michael Manßhardt

Clockmaker

©Merle Manßhardt

Working with history

Michael specialises in making intricate carillon clocks
He designs and sells his own tools
He promotes clockmaking to future generations

Through his passion for clockmaking, Michael Manßhardt has inspired his younger brothers, and ended up being the face of the profession in commercials. His early appreciation for beautiful antiques and his natural fine motor skills guided him into clock and watchmaking training. "An average training these days can be quite dull. If you are unlucky, it involves a lot of replacing batteries," he notes. Michael briefly considered putting his craft on hold for a career in music, but everything changed during his journeyman years in Füssen. There, under a skilled jeweller, he learned to repair all types of timepieces. From intricate pocket watches to grand clocks, he discovered his true calling. In 2014, he earned his master certification and started his own business. Nearly a decade later, his venture has expanded to include prototyping, toolmaking, teaching workshops, and advocacy for the craft’s future. Thankful for the journey and the continual challenges, he finds daily fulfillment and joy in his craft.

Interview

©Merle Manßhardt

Do you have a specialism within clockmaking?: I love working on carillon clocks with integrated chimes. The intricate interplay of mechanisms fascinates me. I would like to explore automata more in the future. Recently, Jacob & Co. sent me one of their watches for me to recreate on a larger scale. Projects like this bring me real joy.
Where do you obtain your tools?: I have been fortunate to acquire many tools from older watchmakers who were retiring. Over time, I have also designed and developed my own tools, which I now produce in small batches and sell to other watchmakers through my website.
What are the key considerations when restoring a clock?: As with all restoration, it is crucial to strike the right balance between preserving enough to maintain authenticity, while carefully reactivating functional aspects. The goal is to restore without over-altering. With clocks, a common question is: what needs replacing to ensure it will run reliably for decades to come?
Do you think your profession is at risk of dying out?: Since 2021, watchmaking has been recognised as an intangible cultural heritage. Fewer young people are entering the field, yet companies are offering high salaries to skilled watchmakers and are urgently seeking to hire. To promote my craft, I take a mobile workshop to trade shows starting in 2025.

Michael Manßhardt is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2014 and he started teaching in 2020