Jack Schoff
USA- American Collector Jack Schoff
- A New Hobby
- A Guinness World Record
- A National Attraction
- An Expensive Hobby
American Collector Jack Schoff
Jack Schoff is an American collector who specializes in various types of clocks. He is said to be either very unhappy or exclusively moves around his house by touch. It is quite difficult not to notice clocks in his house as Schoff has over 1500 of them. The first clocks greet guests above Schoff's door, although they are unlikely to prepare guests for what awaits inside. Upon entering Jack Schoff's house, almost everyone is amazed. Unlike most of his fellow enthusiasts, Jack was not always a fan of clocks. In fact, he started collecting his unusual collection only 7 or 8 years ago.
A New Hobby
Health problems forced the former pipe fitter to take some time off. Schoff was not accustomed to sitting idle, so he started collecting and dismantling clock mechanisms out of boredom. Gradually, this activity became his passion. In the company of a friend, Jack began traveling to fairs and sales, collecting clocks. Soon, rumors of his unusual hobby spread throughout the county, and people started leaving old or broken clocks on his porch.
A Guinness World Record
It was not until his 10-year-old granddaughter showed Schoff the Guinness Book that he realized his collection could be a world record. At that time, he had only 900 clocks, while the current record holder had 921. Motivated by this discovery, Jack started expanding his collection with even more determination. By the summer of 2008, he had 1094 clocks, and currently, the number of exhibits in his collection has exceeded 1500.
A National Attraction
Jack Schoff's clock collection brings joy not only to his own eyes but also to tourists who increasingly visit his house. Many people want to see his unique collection with their own eyes, and unexpectedly, Jack has become a national attraction. After receiving his first certificate from the Guinness Book, Schoff, already celebrating his 66th birthday, seriously considered giving up collecting. However, in 2010, he received a second certificate, officially confirming a considerable growth in his collection over the past few years.
An Expensive Hobby
Collecting clocks often turns out to be an extremely expensive pleasure, especially for Jack Schoff. It is not just that he spends a lot on new clocks, although they are a significant expense. A considerable amount of money is also spent on maintaining the collection. The batteries alone for the clocks cost a shocking amount. However, batteries are not the only expense as the clocks often need to be repaired. Schoff spends an average of three to four weeks on the annual time adjustments. Few can imagine the chaos that ensues in Schoff's house when the clocks in his collection go out of sync. Despite these inconveniences, Jack Schoff finds his peculiar, albeit slightly twisted, pleasure, and only those who have engaged in collecting can fully understand him.
