For Steve Michaels, time is more than just the ticking hands of a clock; it’s an art, a passion, and a legacy in motion. As the owner of Michaels Clock Shop near Highways 82 and 100 in Vian, Michaels doesn’t simply repair and restore clocks—he revives history with each tick and tock.
Known as a horologist, or lover of clocks, Michaels has dedicated his life to the art and science of timekeeping, a passion passed down from his father, R.L. Michaels, who first opened the shop in the late 1980s.
“Dad was deep into clocks,” Michaels recalls with a smile. “He started as a collector, but eventually, his love for them became something more.”
R.L. quickly built a reputation as an expert, not only locally but internationally. Known far and wide, R.L.’s legacy lives on through Michaels, who has expanded the shop’s reputation beyond the original Oklahoma City location.
Now located near Vian, Michaels Clock Shop is a haven for mechanical clocks of all kinds, from antique weight-driven timepieces dating back to the 17th century to electrical and quartz clocks from more modern times.
His collection spans the globe, and his expertise has even drawn national media attention on networks like ABC, NBC, and Fox, especially around daylight saving time when clocks are at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
“I think people are drawn to clocks because they’re beautiful, reliable, and stable,” Michaels says. “They’re an investment in tradition and craftsmanship.”
It’s true; there’s a certain magic in the sound of a well-tuned clock, and Michaels is the expert behind that magic. He’s particularly fond of a water-powered replica of an Ancient Egyptian clock from around 1640 B.C., which uses a float to control water flow and regulate time.
“To think people were inventing ways to tell time thousands of years ago—it’s incredible,” he says.
In addition to his love for clocks, Michaels has a keen interest in other mechanical marvels. He refurbishes antique telephones, Victrolas, and Edison music players, marveling at the ingenuity that predates our digital age.
“These machines were the start of the computer age in a way,” he explains. “They were smart machines, built to last and designed with incredible detail.”
His work is deeply rooted in his love for both history and community. He and his wife, Judy, recently purchased land on Bear Mountain, where they plan to build a home, though their connection to Vian runs even deeper.
The two are active Christians with a ministry that provides hot meals to the homeless. With their food trailer, they serve meals and hand out sack lunches for later, seeing it as part of a larger mission guided by faith.
“The Lord has directed us here,” says Michaels, reflecting on how they found their way to Vian. They’d initially considered Gore and Webbers Falls, but something about Vian felt like home.
Yet, Michaels’s dreams extend beyond his current shop. He hopes to one day open a combination clock museum and diner in downtown Sallisaw, envisioning a space where clock enthusiasts, students, and families can gather to appreciate the beauty and history of timepieces.
He’s been eyeing the old railroad buildings on Cherokee Avenue as a perfect location, with plans to call the café “Time to Eat.” It would be a place where history is served alongside comfort food, continuing the educational approach he began at his former shop in Oklahoma City.
For Michaels, clocks are more than objects; they’re functional art and symbols of a different era, when customer service was as meticulous as the gears in a clock.
He fondly recalls the days when gas stations were full-service, with attendants who would check tires and fill the tank for just 19 cents a gallon.
“Good customer service is key,” he says. “I try to run my business with that old-school care and attention.”
His admiration for timepieces is matched only by his awe of the ingenuity behind them. Michaels often shares with customers how, before the 1950s, families relied on their mantel clocks to keep time, sometimes even visiting town to reset them. Clockmakers had to create reliable, accurate devices that could stand the test of time—a feat Michaels compares to “art in motion.”
At Michaels Clock Shop, every tick and tock tells a story. For Steve Michaels, that story is one of family legacy, a lifelong passion, and the joy of sharing a love for clocks with the next generation.
“Everyone remembers their grandma’s clock,” he says, “and as long as I’m here, I’ll make sure these clocks keep ticking for generations to come.”
