Gears of Tradition
Clocks ticked furiously as Horologist Brien Dews leaned over the metal cogs and gears that lay on his crowded wooden desk, expertly drowning out the various dings and chimes of the hour. While this symphony of noise would madden the untrained ear, Dews has had decades of experience in the practice.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dews is the owner of “Third Coast Clock Service”, located in Rockford, Michigan. From decadent cuckoo clocks to various tower clocks that reach stories high, he works full-time to repair clocks around the state.
Dews said that some of his earliest memories took place in his father’s shop “It's About Time”, sitting beside the employees on their workbenches as they toiled away on their meticulous repairs. Though he learned the trade and worked in his father's shop throughout his youth, Dews did not plan on continuing the family business.
Following his graduation from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Science and Anthropology, Dews had ambitious plans to hike the Appalachian trail and attend graduate school. His father’s shop had been sold and his hiking equipment was ready and waiting.
Before he left for his trip, Dews said that he was training the man who bought his father’s shop when all of his gear was stolen. Without the means to buy new equipment, he turned back to the family trade.
Dews worked as a clock repairman for a local furniture store for three years, eventually deciding to open his own shop as his priorities shifted to his family.
Brien Dews repairs a clock at his shop "Third Coast Clock Service" on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Though not as coveted after as other trades, Dews said that horologists have a distinct responsibility.
“We're keeping memories alive,” he said. “It's important to people and that's why it's important. It's important to my customers, for whatever their reasons might be.”
The modern-day proclivity to replace items rather than repair them is not lost on Dews, as he said some modern clocks “just aren’t made to be repaired.”
Despite this disposable trend, Dews has worked on clocks over 200 years old and is never in short supply of work to be done.
“We are trending towards being kind of more of a throwaway society, but I see a lot of people that have some nostalgia for the clock that used to sit on grandma's mantel,” Dews said. “And so, they want to see that continue and they'll bring those things in for repair, and that's why I'm here. Nostalgia is like the main reason that people keep coming in.”
Various clocks decorate the walls of "Third Coast Clock Service" on Friday, March 14, 2025.
While nostalgia is the driving force behind the current state of the clock repair industry, the remaining horologists are supported by their various communities across the country. Dews said that there are a few watch and clock repair trade organizations with local chapters that meet every other month, as well as online forums and email groups that keep the tradespeople connected.
“There is a community out there, definitely, " Dews said. “Although, it's probably pretty small compared to some others.”
Though unsure of the future of his shop, Dews plans to continue his work in maintaining the memories of the people of Michigan
“I think it's just important for the public to know that there are still people like me out here available to service the products they have if that's what they're looking for,” he said.