QR

Never in the history of human kind has data been generated at such an alarming rate.  We record images and sounds, we translate books into digital format. We store terabytes of 'stuff' - from what we had for breakfast to cat pictures - and most of that stuff is random noise. The amount of data we are creating is just enormous.  However, paradoxically, we are losing historical information at an equally unprecedented rate.  It amazes me how easy it is to forget – usually in just a generation or two.  Some of us don’t even remember the full names of our grandparents, let alone great grandparents.  Yet chances are that we lived at the same time as them. Here is what shocked me: according to UNESCO, as many as half of the world's 7000 languages are expected to be extinct by the end of this century! It is estimated that one language dies out every 14 days. As you read this, there are only 5 people left on the planet who speak N|uu, an ancient South African language.  And, bizarrely, the language itself is not even spoken anymore since all five live in different villages. Historical horological information shares the same fate: while there are billions of photos of watch 'enthusiasts' wearing their shiny new Rolexes and Omegas, machinery warehouses in Switzerland are loaded with machines rusting out because no-one knows how to use them. It is actually common to find last century books and catalogues picturing machines and tools we don't even recognise anymore.   The 'battery watch era' which wiped out mechanical watches during the 1970’s and 80’s wiped out at least two generations of machinists and watchmakers who made incredible timepieces. Just 10 years ago, I could pick up the phone and call Doug Minty and Michael Smith - two Sydney watchmakers - and get an answer on almost any horological question - and their output would be faster and far more accurate than Google. Not anymore. Yesterday’s newsletter on Moeris pocket watches for Queensland Rail generated a fair bit of interest with many agreeing we had better do something about it before it’s too late.  If you have a QR pocket watch do keep me posted - photos, serial numbers and calibres, as well as historical and general notes are appreciated.  Send me an email at nick@clockmaker.com.au.  I would love to hear from you!