While many things in this vibrant coastal city have been consigned to oblivion, some continue to tick. Mangaluru has become the last stop for hand-wound clocks, thanks to the Nayak family. It is quite possible that Europe and the US will look to Mangaluru to keep their grandfather clocks alive.
“We started making wall clocks in 1954,” says Hemalatha Nayak, the eldest daughter-in-law of the family. “My father-in-law, Vaman Nayak, set up Nayaks Clockworks with a few machines, a cabinet maker and a painter. He was an expert in assembling and servicing clocks. Soon the demand grew, operations widened and our tastefully-carved, precise clocks became a must in every home. At one time there was even a waiting period.”
Needful things
Even when quartz clocks flooded the market, Nayak’s clocks had takers. “They were needful things back in ‘70s and ‘80s,” says Srinivas Rao, a diehard fan. “I remember I had a model called Kiron, a special edition. It had metallic paint, a large dial with modern-looking hands and numbers. I am sure if it was in production now, it would have been contemporary. It served me for 30 years with only one service.”
Quartz clocks did, however, make a dent in the market towards the end of 1990s, with over 63 manufacturers shutting shop. In 2006, when a unit in Morbi, Gujarat was closing down, they made an offer to the Nayaks to take over their stock and machinery units.
However the deal didn’t go through as Nayak’s elder son, Devadas, passed away, remembers Hemalatha.
Last one standing
Nayaks Clock Works is the last unit standing in the country.
The family knows the potential but to fully revive the unit, a large infusion of capital has become inevitable. Grandfather clocks are a status symbol; more than a show piece, they are a lifestyle product says Sathishchandra Nayak, a second generation horologer. “My father learnt French to understand horology better as in those days most of the knowledge in the craft was in French.”
Sathishchandra has also added a German touch to the classically-styled clocks by adding the computerised numerological control system, which ensures precision to the last millimetre. “We will soon be looking overseas for orders,” he adds.
Clocking a resurgence
The family is looking to re-establish brand equity. “I plan to set up clock towers all over the city and also in other cities in Karnataka, Kerala and Goa,” says Siddhanth Nayak who is looking after the marketing.
“Former Deputy Commissioner, AB Ibrahim, had given us the go-ahead for clock towers, which did not materialise for some reasons.” One of the tower clocks Siddhanth had erected in Expert College had a seven-foot diameter dial.
Talking about clock towers, Ibrahim said, “They determine the character of the city. Mangaluru City Corporation should not have demolished the clock tower in Hampankatta, opposite the Government College, which had a fine clock by Nayaks Clock Works.”
Ticking away
The Nayak family was the first in the country to take their products to trade expos in United States and Europe. They made a mark in the international market both for finished products and precision parts.
Many wealthy families in Mangaluru, parts of Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and in Bengaluru have grandfather clocks from Nayaks Clock Works.
The clocks stand five to six feet tall, complete with moon phase movement, ebony, teak and rosewood cabinet with Victorian and ethnic designs.
The movement and winding systems have undergone improvements. The pull-down cylindrical winding mechanism is enchanting while the highly-polished brass dials add beauty and keeps it looking new for a lifetime.