This is so interesting... We don't see toys like this any more. I vaguely remember playing with some as a kid (that is very telling how old I am...! lol) No one wants to spend time and effort or are not even bothered to carve things like this any more. I can't imagine how lovingly the old man must have spent hours carving the pieces and making them all work like clockwork. They look like beautiful pieces - I agree, if you meet him again... yes, please get one of his whirring tops... :)
I definitely will. Thanks! And I'll make a video so that you can hear its sound. It was really unusual.