A University of Hartford freshman loves antique clocks. So much that his dad had to make a house rule about them.

May 26, 2023

Gage Robertson, 18, a first-year history major at the University of Hartford, adjusts a clock from the mid-1800s that he has been restoring as part of his clock repair business. Robertson has a workshop in the basement of his family's West Hartford home.

Gage Robertson has set up a clock repair workshop in his family's West Hartford home.

Gage Robertson, 18, a first-year history major at the University of Hartford, displays some of the antique clocks he's repairing.

University of Hartford freshman Gage Robertson doesn’t have a TikTok account like most of his peers, but he could listen to the tick tock of antique clocks all day long.

“It’s a very relaxing sound in my opinion,” Robertson said. “I find it very soothing.”

Robertson, 18, of West Hartford is so into clocks that his dad had to make a house rule: one clock per room.

Robertson collects, repairs and sells antique clocks — all made in the 1800s and early 1900s. He currently has about 30 of them — mostly mantel clocks — in various stages of repair.

“I appreciate the history of the older clocks,” he said.

Always one who loved working with his hands, Robertson became fascinated with clocks and their inner workings three years ago when the family brought an heirloom wind-up Victorian black mantel clock to be repaired at Standish Clock and Watch Shoppe in West Hartford.

Robertson said he “appreciated’ that it was made in Connecticut about 15 miles from where he lives. He also became fascinated by the mechanics and enthralled by the beauty of old clocks.

“I have a never-ending fascination with the beauty of these antique clocks,” he said.

Robertson began tinkering on his own and seeking friendly guidance from Jim Standish, owner of Standish Clock and Watch Shoppe.

“I think it’s fabulous that someone his age is so intrigued with it,” Standish said. “That’s not usually what we find.”

The clock shop owner said Robertson spends a lot of time learning what he can on his own, asks good questions, is detail oriented and is not afraid to try new things.

“He’s got a lot of patience, which is key in this business,” Standish.

Robertson has set up a workshop in the family basement for his clocks and is amassing an impressive tool collection. He buys most of his clocks on eBay and Facebook Marketplace to repair and sell.

He loves working with his hands all around. He has helped his dad restore about 40 windows in their 46-window house and restores antique furniture. He also has an auto-detailing business.

“Almost anything I can get my hands on, to be honest,” Robertson said.

Robertson, a first-year American history major, is not sure what he’ll do with that career-wise, although becoming a historic preservationist is on the table.

“I’m fascinated with time in general and history,” he said.

Wherever he lands, Robertson said he knows antique clocks will be a part of his life as a part-time business and maybe even full-time.

“I think I’ll always have this passion,” he said.

To learn more about Robertson’s clock business visit his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gages_clock_projects_ct/.

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