New Zealand Made Clock - Outdoor & Waterproof - Albatross
New Zealand Made Clocks: Outdoor & Waterproof
Now in his 90’s, marking his 75-year membership to the club, Brian Treacy, Akarana Golf Club’s longest-standing member, commissioned two Paceracer, Extra Large, outdoor waterproof clocks.
Stage 1. How these two clocks came to be
Client Inquiry: Fri, 2 Jul 2021, 15:12
“I am looking to buy two large (70cm) outdoor (fully waterproof) clocks for my golf club in Auckland. Can you help?”
Following the inquiry above, we gave him a call to understand more about the two ultra-large, outdoor, waterproof clocks. Soon finding out they needed to be suspended 5 meters high on a wall, withstand cyclones & every type of weather ‘under the sun’.
We got back in touch with Akarana & the project kicked off.
Paceracer Reply: Wed, 7 Jul 2021, 15:45
“Hi S**,
Thank you for your inquiry with us about two 70cm waterproof wall clocks for your golf club.
We think this is a great project.
We have already gone ahead and done the due diligence with the project, which was spending time working out an estimated cost involved with making your request. This clock will be proudly New Zealand-made & designed for you and your club. Over the years the design will stand the test of time, and become a memorable asset to the club. With a design we have in mind, your logo & a piece of personalized text can be made clearly visible and will enhance the overall design.
The clock will be made from a robust outer metal frame, metal dial, it will be waterproof, wall-mounted, have a logo & message applied. We will work with you on aspects of the design to bring out on the dial, as well as your logo & personalised message. Around 700mm (70cm), Mounted with a robust & refined metal bracket, which will be easily removable.”
We delved right into research & then concept design. Soon we would present the concept designs.
Stage 2. Design (& Lockdown)
Paceracer Reply: Tue, 17 Aug 2021, 15:28
“Hi R**, Lets do 11:30am then if that works for you I will send an email invite (fingers crossed we do not go into lockdown).”
Client Response: Tue, 17 Aug 2021, 22:35
“Hi B**, As we are in level 4 lockdown, we have to cancel the meeting today. Stay safe.”
With Lockdown level 4 in place, we made clear the implications which uncertain times could lead us & as the New Zealand history books will now tell for us, they certainly did lead us down a longer time than the entire country could have expected.
Paceracer Reply: Thu 14 Oct 2021, 12:23
“Hi R**, Attached is a render of the brown clock. It shows the size of the lettering which we increased ever so slightly to enlarge.
Two examples show the AKARANA by itself which enables the design to still look really great, but for the Akarana name to be read from much further away.
Let me know what you think.”
Below is a board panel showing the steps we presented to S**, R** & for the board members of Akarana to approve.
Stage 3. Engineering Development
Client Responses: 14 & 21 Oct 2021
“Hi B**, Thanks for sending the Artwork..
We have a board meeting so I will confirm the colour and layout.
Is there any further update that you may want me to share with board?”
Paceracer Reply: 26 Oct 2021
“Hi R**, Sounds good. Updates from our end are that we have managed to slim the clock further which is great. It is about 60mm thick.
Also after setting up the clock mechanism, it will be very easy to adjust them time for daylight savings, and connecting to mains is also going to be nice and easy too.
By the end of the week will be able to give a closer update of manufacturing progress.”
Client Response: 1 Nov 2021
“Hi B**, We have chosen to go with the traditional Brown Clock ( see attached) 3rd one.
S** can you please confirm.”
Paceracer Reply: 1 Nov 2021
“Hi R**, thanks for confirming & will wait for Steve's confirmation as well.”
Client Response: 1 Nov 2021
“I confirm R**’s selection of the brown surround… option 3
S**”
Stage 4. Manufacturing
Paceracer: 1 Nov 2021
“Hi S**, Good speaking earlier. Please find some photos attached of the welding of the first clock. The second clock is being welded now. Look forward to updating you on the progress at the end of this week.”
..and so the first email began to be realised..
Stage 5. Installation & a long worth while wait
Paceracer: 21 Dec 2021
“Hi S** & R**, the brackets have been installed. Attached is a photo of the clock test installed & were removed so all you will find are the two brackets. We will keep the clocks until you would like to have the unveiling in January.
Looking forward to doing the electrical work on Thursday morning.”
Stage 6. Unveiling of the Clocks
Paceracer: 4 Feb 2022
“Hi B**,
Hope all is well.
Good news is that we have a date for the unveiling of the new clocks - Wednesday 23rd February at 10.45am. I am away next week and wondering if you can install the clocks the week beginning 14th February. This will give us time to ensure all is set up properly before we unveil the following week.”
So we kept the clocks for the special date.
See the details of the hinge & wall mount bracket on the left clock facing the wall.
We learned the significance of the unveiling. The club had asked for the clocks to be kept at Paceracer until they could organise a date for Brian Treacy, to come from his home at the age of 90+ & unveil the two clocks he had kindly donated, enabling for the clocks to be commissioned, designed, engineered, invented & precision manufactured in New Zealand.
Something struck a chord for Paceracer embarking on this journey. We realised clocks symbolized an intertwined age of time, older than watches themselves & felt it would be a wise decision to make something that seemed impossible from that given moment, out of respect to those who paved the way centuries ago to create the foundations of clock mechanisms, which developed into smaller, finer objects such as mechanical watches, which took to the trenches in the great wars, and still provide memories connecting generations, now & into the future.
Watch the unveiling video here
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