I was recently offered the post of finishing the work I began on the 1765 George Pyke clock at Temple Newsam House I mentioned in a previous blog entry. You can read about it here.

Unfortunately this old path is not the future path. It was extremely difficult to set aside my feelings of attachment to this project and the desire to finish what I started. As previously mentioned, three years of prep work, grant applications, research, and multiple visits to assess the condition went into putting the proposal together that I presented to West Dean. I owe so much to Ian Fraser, the head Conservator at Temple Newsam, for all of his hard work and support on this project.

The reason my path has changed course is the following: I have been offered the opportunity of handling the estate of the late horologist Dennis E. Harmon. A friend of George Daniels, and a man who did everything in the old way, making his own pigments from scratch for his enameling work and grinding raw diamonds down for polishing powders. His workshop is painted with the original green paint from the (long closed) Bulova watchmaking factory. This man was one of the Greats and is missed by many. He is the best friend, tutor, and all around most amazing person I never met.

From what I understand, Dennis and his brother were a force to be reckoned with – traveling to auctions far and wide, buying up anything and everything horological. If the Harmon Brothers showed, you were out of luck.
His workshop includes, but is not limited to the following:
A Rose Engine
A Straight-Line Engine
Schaublin 70 + all accessories
Schaublin 102 + all accessories
Schaublin 120 + all accessories
Pantographs
Profile Projectors
Watchmakers lathes + accessories
Scientific Instruments
And everything else you might ever wish for you in your most decadent horological dreams
Here are some photos:
Reblogged this on Memoria Technica and commented:
Today is the two year anniversary of when I started the Harmon Estate. What a very strange and wonderful time in my life. As I’m out East once again this holiday season, I took the opportunity to drive by the workshop. Even though it looks virtually unchanged from the outside, the hollowness seems to resonate from within. In moments such as this, I am thankful that everything passes with time.
You should come visit me while you are on the East Coast …
Elizabeth Belcher?
Wow, there is some amazing stuff there!!
It’s true! Wish you were here to see it!
What a fantastic opportunity! You go girl! Help keep this legacy alive!
Thanks Mark – doing my best as you know 😉