One of their restorations is the largest tower clock built by the E. Howard Clock Company, the Ayer Mill clock in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It took Rick and Chris five days to dismantle It. When they are first contacted by a prospective client, Rick and Linda visit the clock, document everything on videotape, return home and write specifications and a proposal. If they get the job, Rick returns to the site with Chris, they dismantle the clock and ship it to Freeport. Restoration takes thousands of man hours, for it is all intricate, demanding, hand work.
Every job tests their ingenuity.
There exists a wealth of books and guides to clock and watch repair, but there are no resource books on tower clocks. Every new clock is a learning experience, says Rick. But the challenges are one of the best parts of the job. Clock repair and restoration is more than a craft to the Balzers. It is a labor of love.