I agree with your statement. I actually believe we control the other sides machine now. I also think it's more than just a machine (as in computers, etc.). I think there is a very serious human component to it all. Is the person the time machine? Go back to the CIA documents released in the early 2000's. It sure sounded like you could become your own time machine if you wanted to. You could go into the past, or into the future.
Time is constantly changing like the ebbs and flows of a river. Make one change, throw a rock in the river, and the ripples change the direction of the river in a small amount. Throw a boulder in the river, and you divert the river forever. You just need to make sure the river goes in the direction you want it to.
When Q states, "Wind the clock" could it possibly mean that things have changed in this continuum where they need to make an adjustment?
Just theorizing.