The Municipal Government of San Miguel de Allende, headed by Mauricio Trejo Pureco, has begun a comprehensive maintenance process to ensure that the clock continues working and serving future generations for many years to come. This work will be led by master watchmaker Daniel Vázquez, a watchmaker by trade and by heart, who has cared for this local treasure for decades.
What few people know is that the clock tower and its contents have been under the care of the Vázquez family for 45 years. Thanks to their commitment and dedication, the tower’s interior retains its original essence, including the wooden staircase and the historic walls that still bear traces of the passage of time. This intimate and valuable space is meticulously maintained, respecting its history and structure.
The clock’s mechanism is completely manual and requires constant care. At least once every three years, the machinery must be stopped for adjustment and general inspection; in addition, it must be wound every eight days, requiring daily attention. The bells, for example, are tuned to play the musical notes “Re” on the hour, and “Sol-A” on the quarter-hour, a unique detail that many of us hear without realizing the artistry behind it. The tower, the staircase, the machinery, and even the sound of the bells themselves are passionately protected and preserved by Daniel.
Source: masdeaca