A mechanical clock constructed entirely from discarded materials in Glashütte, Saxony, operates for approximately 30 minutes before stopping, striking a glass bottle gong at the hour.

The clock, created by an artist-in-residence at NOMOS, a Glashütte-based watchmaker, utilizes a pendulum system derived from horological principles. Its design incorporates a seconds pendulum—approximately one meter in length—whose oscillation period is governed by gravitational acceleration, as described by Christiaan Huygens' 17th-century formula. The mechanism employs a paperclip-based escapement wheel and anchor, with a barrel wound from salvaged materials to store energy. A rubber boot weight powers a separate gong mechanism, triggered when the minute hand reaches 12 o'clock.

The project draws on historical context: the creator's ancestors, Swiss watchmakers who emigrated to Saxony, contributed to the region's watchmaking legacy. Glashütte's legal designation of origin, which protects the use of its name for locally crafted timepieces, provided the thematic backdrop for the residency.

During testing, the clock's precision was measured at 1.004 seconds per oscillation (±0.001 s), achieving 0.4% accuracy. The creator also developed GTC (Glashütte Time Concept), a reference time scale based on the clock's operation, distinct from GMT or UTC. GTC's definition relies on the clock's mechanism rather than astronomical or atomic standards, serving as a practical reference for timekeeping.

The clock's random complication features a spinning wheel labeled 'NOW' and 'NEVER,' activated by a weight-driven mechanism moments before the clock stops. This element, inspired by horological complications, uses a repurposed wheel of fortune and scaffold components.

After documenting the project, the creator dismantled the clock for transport. A final photograph captured sunlight illuminating the mechanism through a church's stained-glass window before departure. The work was supported by NOMOS staff, including Inès, Stefan, Marie, and Melchior, as well as family members who contributed archival materials.

Owners' manuals, high-resolution images, and technical datasets related to the project are publicly available through the creator's resources.