Those who quietly keep the rhythm of time.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still watch repairmen quietly working at their small tables, meticulously tending to each screw and gear that turns the clockwork.

For over 30 years, Mrs. Loan, residing in Ngo Quyen ward, has been dedicated to the profession of watch repair.

Working diligently alongside these "time machines".

For over 30 years, every day, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Loan in Ngo Quyen ward has regularly sat at her small watch repair table. On that table are dozens of specialized tools, wristwatches, and wall clocks waiting to be "revived." For her, each watch is not just a timekeeping device, but also a memory, a story of its owner.

Ms. Loan started her career very early, as a young girl following in the footsteps of her father – a renowned watch repairman in the area around the city's Grand Theatre decades ago. The image of her father patiently disassembling each small part, cleaning the gears, and carefully reassembling them instilled in her a special passion.

From simple tasks like cleaning, changing straps, and replacing batteries, she gradually learned how to disassemble and reassemble the watch movement, and adjust the hour and minute hands. Watch repair requires meticulousness, patience, and absolute precision. Even a very small error can cause the entire mechanism to stop working. Besides her father passing on the trade, her most steadfast companion throughout her career has been her husband – also a skilled watch repairman. Years of working together have helped her accumulate experience and become more confident in this profession.

For Mr. Dung, even as society changes, watches still hold their own value.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung (born in 1965) in Le Thanh Nghi ward also has a long history of working as a watch repairman. From his childhood, he was familiar with the image of his father diligently working at his small repair shop, fixing customers' wristwatches and wall clocks. Growing up in that environment, the ticking of clocks became an integral part of his childhood memories. Following in his father's footsteps, Mr. Dung entered the profession at a very young age and has now been involved in this work for over 40 years.

According to him, watch repair is not just a livelihood but also a job that requires perseverance and passion. Each watch is a sophisticated mechanism with many small parts. Some only need a battery replacement or strap adjustment, but others require disassembling the entire movement to inspect each gear. "Each watch has its own story. Some are gifts from relatives, others have been with their owners for many years, so they want to have them repaired as a keepsake," Mr. Dung shared.

Mr. Ngo Van Vinh (born in 1964) from Le Thanh Nghi ward, a watch repairman with decades of experience, said: "Nowadays, watchmakers have more advantages with the help of modern tools and machinery." Although his golden age has passed, Mr. Vinh still has a loyal customer base. Watch repairmen like him are dedicated to the profession because of their passion, the joy they feel when helping watches "come back to life," and the pleasure of listening to the ticking of time.

Quietly preserving the craft.

With many intricate details, watch repair requires patience and meticulousness from the technician.

In this era of rapid digital technology , where smartphones and other electronic devices can replace the function of telling time, many people have worried that the watch repair profession will gradually disappear. However, for seasoned craftsmen like Mrs. Loan, Mr. Dung, and Mr. Vinh, this profession still holds its own.

Ms. Loan said that on average, she repairs watches for about 10-12 customers a day. The work provides a stable income, enough to support her family and continue pursuing her passion, which she has been dedicated to for over three decades. However, the watch repair profession also presents many difficulties. Some watches have complex malfunctions that require the repairman to think and find solutions for days. Not only does she keep the craft for herself, but Ms. Loan also harbors the intention of passing it on to her son, hoping that the flame of passion can continue to be maintained within the family.

As for Mr. Dung, even though society is changing, watches still hold their own value. Many people still maintain the habit of wearing watches or hanging them in their homes as part of their familiar lifestyle.

Amidst the ceaseless flow of time, clocks continue to move. And in the quietest corners of the streets, watchmakers diligently adjust the ticking of these tiny machines day after day. They are not only witnesses to the ups and downs of the profession, but also help preserve the memories of many people.

Men

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/nhung-nguoi-lang-le-giu-nhip-thoi-gian-537586.html