A passionate and innovative mechanical engineer has opened a new watch and clock-making shop on Picton Street.
Ash Bajaj, 38, told the Times that he has been repairing and restoring time-keeping devices for more than three decades.
“My father was a watchmaker,” Ash says. “I’ve been doing watch and clock making since I was six.”
After spending 10 years as a mechanical engineer for Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Ash decided to follow his ultimate passion: bringing things back to life.
His shop, Alpha Time Watch & Clock Repairs, opened last Tuesday at Unit G2, 12B Picton Street, besides Crawford Medical.
“I’m an avid fan of clock history,” Ash says. “I’ve worked on a lot of prominent Auckland turret clocks – such as the ones at the Auckland Art Gallery and Ponsonby Town clock.”
Ash treats his craft with equal parts of persistence and ingenuity. He fixes broken devices himself and creates and builds any new parts that are required. His process is quick and efficient – typically between a one-day to one-week time period, depending on the complexity.
“I do everything in-house,” he says. “The prices are reasonable.”
Alpha Time also offers battery changes and pressure tests.
“It’s (clockmaking) is a dying art,” Ash says. “I like to do my part in making sure it’s still around.”
