Showroom & Factory
The crafting of the ancient swamp Kauri into beautiful clocks is a very labour intensive process taking us several weeks to complete. Each piece is individually designed and carefully handled up to 20 times by our crafts people. The natural form and spectacular colours make each clock unique ensuring no two are ever the same.
Sourcing New Zealand Ancient Kauri
The ancient swamp Kauri we use in the manufacture of the Kauri clocks and crafts is sourced from two main areas in New Zealand. The wood from Kai Iwi lakes in the Dargaville area has been carbon dated at 45,000 plus years old and is mainly dark in colour. The wood sourced from Takinini, just south of Auckland, is carbon dated at 1290 plus years old and has a lighter, grainier colouring.
The process
The first step in the process involves the raw stumps being water blasted and then sliced using a bandsaw. We then stack the sliced Kauri into crates and the timber is slowly dried for approximately 5 weeks in a specially designed kiln.
The dried pieces of kauri are now leveled and sanded smooth. Holes are then drilled to fit the quality clock mechanisms and/or weather instruments. The edges are treated and cleaned before the Kauri pieces are placed in a heat controlled, dust proof room. Here we apply at least three coats of a specially formulated resin to produce our top quality finish.
After the finish has dried the backs are sanded before the clock movement, numbers and hands are fitted.
Packaging & shipping
Once the clock is purchased we carefully package it using a foam disc to protect the hands and face and a bubble wrap bag to give it overall protection. Our other crafts are also carefully packaged to give maximum protection while they are in transit.