Discarded in Time

Dan Tanenbaum

Words & Photography by Dan Tanenbaum

After looking at Dan’s work one might imagine that he exited the corporate world full throttle, hair in the wind, on a Harley Davidson bent on a new creative life, but there is a lot more to this story. Dan preserves the once-beating heart of the watch and gives it new life in various forms, but his favourite works are replica motorcycles, rendered in miniature form.

Dan constantly scours flea markets, antique and estate sales for his watch gold. He exited the corporate world with a desire to creative, shedding his role as an art director of a global advertising company. His fondness for watch parts metamorphosed into his art, rendering miniature motorcycles and other objects by painstakingly piecing together intricate watch parts and fashioning these into stunning creations.

We chatted with Dan to find out more.

Tell us what led you into the world of watch parts and sculpture?

I was an art director in advertising for many years and then started some technology companies which I built, grew and sold. While working on these start-ups I found that I wasn’t accessing my creative spirit and I felt the need to tap back into it.

I have been a collector of many things in my life and one of my biggest collections/obsessions have been timepieces. I’ve always been fascinated by their intricate movements, and when the opportunity presented itself to be creative again, I started to use vintage discarded watch parts.

I guess the obvious questions come to mind when I see your work. Why watch parts and why motorcycles?

I love that no matter how beat up or broken a watch might seem to be, the actual inner workings of the movement are preserved like a time capsule in an airtight casing. I started making cufflinks with the watch parts and sold them very successfully through some high-end retail stores in Toronto. Eventually I didn’t find the cufflinks enough of a creative challenge and tried to figure out my next model. Since the case of a watch is the biggest part I figured it looked like it could be a wheel, and I thought a motorcycle might be fun to produce. Are the parts from vintage watches better than those in modern-day watches, or are they pretty much the same?

Some of the vintage watches I use are from pocket watches and some of the movements are beautifully engraved and are pieces of art in their own right. What is interesting is that not many people would have the opportunity to see inside the watch, and this attention to detail on the inner workings really speaks of how watchmakers took such great pride in their craft down to the finest details.

What do you love most about your work?

Most people wear their watch for a big part of their lives, through birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, good times and bad times… watches become a real part of someone’s personality. I find it sad that one day they end up in a junk pile for one reason or another. The idea that I can imbue them with new life and turn them into pieces of art for others to admire makes me happy.

How important is it for you to create art from discarded objects?

I’ve only used watch parts in my artwork and have never “killed a watch” for a piece. I think that it is sad that the “watch” is a dying art form as the newer generations lean towards electronic devices to tell time. Using discarded watch parts is important to me on many levels, but I hope the objects serve as a reminder that the art of time is a true art form.

Are the motorcycles an exact replica of full-size models?

I make close representations of motorcycles I’ve seen, but mostly I freestyle my builds without any reference to a specific bike. What I love about making motorcycles is that as long as it has two wheels, a gas tank and handlebars you can’t really go wrong. Most motorcycles are custom made anyway, so it allowed me to really be creative with the design.

Do you own a bike yourself?

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What is your favourite motorcycle?

I really love the line of a café racer, but I feel that choppers come most naturally for me.

What other artists inspire your work?

I love Sue Beatrice’s work, particularly her unique steampunk and pocket watch sculptures which continue to blow my mind.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’ve been encrusting objects with watch parts lately, such as skulls, Darth Vader helmets, Kidrobot figures etc. It’s been fun seeing how these objects transform into a steampunk version of what they used to be

As an avid collector of these fine timepieces, which one out of all your collection is your favourite, and why?

I’ve been collecting timepieces for around 20 years now and have many favourites to be honest. My Urwerk 103.09 is definitely near the top of my list, but my Rolex Submariner is my favourite. Here’s the story behind it.

When my twin boys were born I purchased two watches for them to give them on their 21st birthday (they turn eight years old today). When I purchased the first watch I asked the owner of the timepiece if he would write a letter to my son as provenance to the watch that I would present to him along with the watch. This is the letter he wrote to my sons:

March 2, 2009

Dear Oliver,

I hope this letter finds you well. Your father has asked me to write you a note to tell you what I know about your gift from him. As you can see it is an old watch. My guess is that by the time you receive it, it will be about 70 years old and you are very fortunate as this is no ordinary watch. Indeed, it is a very special watch. You are holding a rare vintage Rolex model 6538 from circa 1958. It has a calibre 1030 movement in it. This watch is much sought after as it is the same model of watch as the one worn by Sean Connery when he portrayed James Bond in the 1962 film “Dr No”.

It is my understanding that the watch is in original condition and was owned prior to myself by a gentleman who lived in Australia. It is obvious that he wore this watch for countless hours in the sun, perhaps scuba diving or sailing, because the dial on it shows a deep rich bronze patina. I have myself owned the watch for many years, saving it for something special though I had no idea what.

Recently word came to me that your father was looking for a watch such as this and it turned out that he had a special purpose in mind for it; that it should become a gift for you on your 21st birthday. And since I believe a watch like this needs purpose and deserves more than a solitary existence spoiled away in some dark locked box, I released it to your father. Albeit for a fairly tidy sum.

Once, a good many years ago while holding this watch and contemplating its lessons, I was struck by five thoughts. I’d like to share them with you with the hope that they might help you on your journey.

The first thought I had was of the beauty and art and emotion expressed by it. These are all the things that give our world life and colour and love. It is a reminder that we should paint the world as we go, returning the love that we’re given and sharing the love that we have to give.

The second thought I had was for the marvel of engineering and human perseverance that made this watch possible. Boundless is the limitations of the human mind and determined spirit combined. This watch should serve as a reminder that we must be the engineers of our lives, doing what is right in life and persevering to leave all things better than when we first came upon them. The third thought that I had as I held this watch was of its value and the power of saving and investing. Surely without saving there is no future nor any prospect of security for yourself or your loved ones. Nor is there the ability to help the man who has stumbled that he too might go on to help others. This watch should serve as a reminder that wealth with conscience is a powerful gift.

Fourth, I thought that this watch represents the importance of practicality and purpose in our lives. There is an old saying that goes “If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light”. The same holds true in life. This watch should be a reminder to remain free of the burden of things that serve no good purpose, things that rob us of our happiness, our dignity and our time.

Which brings us to the fifth and final thought that I had which was about time itself. This watch like all timepieces should serve as a reminder to us that time is the great equalizer and it is all we really have. In time all will be lost for each and every one of us but for the good deeds we have done. Your deeds of hope are your seeds of hope; plant them everywhere you can.

Remember, Oliver, God winds our hearts but once, just how tightly is his secret. I hope you spend your time wisely and that your deeds carry both you and the lives you touch to great and wonderful places. Wishing you well in your travels.