We are called ghadiwallahs here. Unlike in Europe, horologists [clock makers/restorers] in Asian countries don’t earn respect,” rues Venkatesh Rao, on our return from the tour of the clock chamber and bell room of the 190-year-old Christ Church at Byculla’s Clare Road. After a month-long project, he has resuscitated the 1828-made clock that stopped working five years ago.

Matunga-born, Hyderabad-based Rao is realistic about the challenges his profession throws up: “Nowadays, everyone prefers digital clocks. In London, institutes teach horology. In India, few understand the need to preserve vintage clocks. It is a fascinating science, as you just saw.” One hour ago, we negotiated our way via a narrow, wooden ladder to witness the working mechanism of the analogue clock, a world of escape wheels, pendulums and barrels. We were teleported briefly to Hugo, Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award-winning cine tribute to automaton, until the giant clock above us struck 12, bolting us back to reality.