Clocks are an indispensable part of the life of Wu Yuqing, aged 67. Wu's relationship with clocks was established when he was young as a result of his father's influence. Since then, he has been dealing with "time". A set of repair tools were placed on an old desk. Tweezers, screwdrivers, openers, and magnifying glasses might be unfamiliar to laymen but are his "old friends".

The tools Wu Yuqing uses for repairing the clocks. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

"My first exposure to clock repair was actually at the age of 13." Although over five decades had passed, Wu still remembered every detail of that day. Back then, Wu had just started middle school, and the school ran only half a day. To keep him occupied, his father took home a clock that a friend had brought and asked him to learn how to repair it. "At first, my father taught me to take clocks apart and fix them. He would show me the skills, and I then practiced to master all of them." It was easy to say but hard to do.

Wu Yuqing is repairing clocks. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Years ago, clock repair skills and tools were not as advanced as today, and repairers' mature skills and rich experience were the cornerstones. They had to be careful and calm to avoid any error. The aim was to keep the clock ticking accurately. With magnifying glasses, careful and diligent repairers open the door to the world of time.

Wu Yuqing is repairing clocks. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Over the past 50-odd years, Wu developed a great reputation in the industry for his excellent skills. He never forgets what his father said in the first lesson, "Repairing clocks requires carefulness and concentration."

Wu has become a clock repair-savvy, with at most one clock needing to be re-repaired each year. He often says, "We cannot let customers and clocks down."

Time passes as the clock ticks. It's not difficult to repair clocks, but treating the work seriously for decades is challenging. For ordinary people, clocks might only be a machine that keeps track of time; in Wu's eyes, clocks embody old days and memories.

Time flows forward, and cities develop and change. In the new era, craftsmanship is reflected in clock repairers' work — improving skills to pursue perfection.

Wu repairs every clock with excellent skills accumulated over the years, which is his professional belief he has been sticking with throughout his life.