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The Bench · Since 1984
A second-generation shop, not a service counter.
Gesswein’s Clocks has been servicing the Valley since 1984. Two generations, one bench, and a simple belief: we consider our work more restoring than repairing.
William Gesswein
He started in his father’s shop.
William (Wm. C.) Gesswein is a second-generation clocksmith. He learned the trade at his father’s bench and has been keeping the Valley’s antiques running since 1984 — full movement overhauls, case and dial restoration, and house calls for the big clocks that shouldn’t travel.
“Antiques are supposed to look like antiques — we just make them look and run like well-taken-care-of antiques.”
Nothing gets over-restored. As much of the original piece is respected and preserved as possible — the goal is a clock that keeps time for another generation, not one stripped of its history.
At the bench with him
Larry Cooper — and NAWCC Chapter #112.
William is joined by Larry Cooper, past president of NAWCC Chapter #112 — the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors. Larry joined the shop to pursue his love of restoring pieces of history that happen to tell time.
That NAWCC affiliation isn’t decoration. It’s a community of collectors and restorers who hold each other to a standard — the same standard that hangs, in the form of a watch-guild plaque, on the shop wall.
Inside the shop
Where the work happens.
A working bench in Phoenix — visors, ultrasonic cleaners, a wall of tools, and clocks in every stage of coming back to life.
At the bench, over a movement.
The shop, looking down the bench.
Inside a case — the strike work.
Restored grandfathers, on the floor.
Have a clock that’s stopped?
Bring it in, or we’ll come to it. Free estimates, and you’ll hear back within 48–72 hours.