WHEN the German businessman Herion visited Qingdao with his 80-year-old father last year, they were attracted by a big clock in a Christian church on Jiangsu Road. The logo of the clock was “J.F. Weule,” which was also the logo for a German family. About 100 years ago, the Weule was famous for making clocks for churches in Germany. “At that time, my family was the gear supplier of the Weule,” Herion said. The father and son spent more than half a year to confirm that the gear of the clock in the church on Jiangsu Road was from their ancestors’ hands. “I am so proud that my great great grandfather’s gear is still in great condition after 100 years and I think it can keep working for another 300 years,” he said.

Chairman of the city’s Christian Association surnamed Gao said that this clock had always been in good working condition. This church was also the only church in China to use a German-made clock.

There are more than 20 gears in the clock, all in good condition. After all these years, this clock has never been repaired. “We just use some oil once every three or four days to make it work better,” a member of staff at the church said.

 (Wang Yuanyuan, Qingbao)