THE CLOCKMAKERS’ MUSEUM

 

In 1813, the Court of the Clockmakers’ Company decided to set up a horological reference Library. This initially consisted of the manuscript documents which the Company had accumulated since its foundation in 1631, but soon grew to include many rare printed books.

 

In 1814, Benjamin Vulliamy, Clockmaker to King George III purchased the first objects to add to the collection of books, with a view to tracing “ the progress of the art of Clock & Watchmaking from the earliest period of its practice”. It was from this small beginning that the Museum came into existence. It remains the oldest collection specifically of clocks and watches in the World.

 

The Museum consists of a single room, containing at any one time some 600 English and European watches, 30 clocks and 15 marine timekeepers, together with a number of rare horological portraits. It tells the story of clock and watchmaking in London from the 16^th century to the present day and includes a rolling exhibition of the horological work of modern craftsmen and women.

Among the most important historic objects on display are the marine timekeepers, illustrating the importance of horology in the science of navigation. Examples are Henry Sully’s timepiece of 1724, a silver deck watch by Thomas Earnshaw (used by Captain George Vancouver in the discovery by Europeans of the Island now bearing his name) and the celebrated 5th marine timekeeper made by John Harrison and completed in 1770.

The Museum is maintained, conserved and augmented by the Clockmakers' Museum and Educational Trust (Reg. Charity No. 312876) which employs a part-time consultant keeper. Through the generosity of the Corporation of London, it is situated in a fine room in Guildhall Library and overseen on a daily basis by Guildhall Library staff.

A richly illustrated booklet "The Clockmakers of London", an account of the Company and its Collection, has been published by the Trust and is available from Guildhall Library shop, or from the Clerk of the Company, or by e-mail from sales@clockmakers.org.

Books and manuscripts from the Company's Library may be consulted at Guildhall Library from 9.30am until 4.45pm, from Monday to Saturday each week (except public holidays).

The Museum is generally open (entry free) from Monday to Saturday each week (except public holidays) from 9.30am until 4.30pm, though it may be closed (briefly) from time to time for re-winding and adjusting the clocks.

 

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