The Development of Timekeeping

The Origins of the Clock

Knowing the time through mechanical means has pre-occupied man for over half a millennium. Although finding the time using the sun can be traced well back into ancient times, the establishment of the mechanical timepiece really came about through a surprising need, which essentially led to the birth of the clock as we know it today. During the late Gothic period in Europe, the church presided over society and created structure for the day based around times of prayer. This created a need for a device to announce these times through sounding on a bell, as sound travelled far and could be understood in a society where most would have not been able to read a dial. Thus, the first ‘church’ clocks appeared in central southern Europe in mid to late 15th century to serve this purpose.

The fact that the earliest clocks tended to announce the time by sounding on bells was the genesis of the name ‘clock’ which was derived from the German name for a bell ‘glocke’. Indeed, for us horologists a clock to be worthy of its name it has to strike in some way, if it silently tells the time using a dial alone then it is a timepiece.

The English 'Golden Period' of Clockmaking

Ever since their introduction, clocks have been at the spearhead of mechanical and technological development, as well as an expression of wealth and status. Amongst modern-day collectors the most prized examples originate from what is termed the English ‘golden period’ of the 17th century. It was during this period that London became established as the global centre for clockmaking cemented by the formation of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1631. It was in London that the first longcase (or ‘grandfather’) clock was made shortly after the introduction of the pendulum in 1658. Early longcase clocks by leading London makers such as Ahaseurus Fromanteel, Edward East, Joseph Knibb, Thomas Tompion and William Clement are very highly prized amongst collectors.

Maritime Clocks

During the 18th century solidification of maritime power through the quest to find longitude became a driving force for technological development. No doubt the reader is aware of John Harrison and his dogged determination to create an extremely accurate timepiece that can withstand the rigours of being at sea. Indeed, he and his successors were pivotal in contributing to the ‘upper hand’ of maritime power to the British as well as laying the foundation to the establishment of precision watchmaking.

The Industrial Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment

The Industrial Revolution allowed regional genius to shine, along with the powerhouse of industry to be developed in central and northern England. Enlightenment was embodied by the establishment of the likes of the Birmingham-based Lunar Society in 1765, which included eminent innovators such as Josiah Wedgwood, James Watt, Matthew Boulton and the Derby-based clockmaker John Whitehurst. As industry expanded clocks and timepieces became much more accessible. This was further compounded by huge growth in international trade allowing the import of very diverse range of timepieces from France, Germany, and beyond.

Areas of interest

The modern-day collector can choose from an almost endless variety of clocks and timepieces of all shapes, sizes and prices. Longcase clocks from the end of the 18th century onwards are remarkably good value with a good eight-day example costing from as little as £400-500 at auction. The classic Georgian or Regency bracket clock is also a good choice for buyers looking for understated quality with a budget of £1,000-2,000. For those who have a fondness for English work but want something a little different then a skeleton clock might fit the bill.

France was a major centre for the manufacture of clocks and timepieces throughout the 19th century hence French clocks provide the collector with a vast selection to choose from. Carriage clocks in particular present buyers with the opportunity to build a collection just around one type of timepiece. With prices starting from around £100 rising up to over £10,000 the choice is endless due to the huge variety of decorative techniques used within the cases, and specifications of the movements.

For those who are looking for something more contemporary then they may want to consider an ‘Atmos’ timepiece. These have been made by the celebrated Swiss watch and clockmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre since the 1950’s. An ingenious design, they utilise change in atmospheric pressure to keep them wound. Prices at auction for these tend to start from around £700.

Advice for Buyers

The first piece of advice is always buy what you like! Appeal could purely be based on aesthetics, or indeed further appreciation of the mechanical aspects of the timepiece. It is often the case that a collector's interest evolves as they come to learn more about the pieces in their collection. This is the fun part, as timepieces are a source of endless opportunities for investigation that would satisfy the most curious of minds.

Secondly, for those entering the field, it is best to buy examples in fine working condition. Originality is also very important, hence why it is always best to purchase from a trusted reliable source. Although restoration projects may seem tempting, they could prove to be a bit of a false economy, and so best left to those who fully understand the work involved.

And finally, if the technological aspects of clockwork are of particular interest, it may be worth befriending a local clockmaker/horologist. Often, they are happy to discuss their work as well as provide an opportunity to see the mechanism of a clock removed from its case and dismantled. Indeed, they may well be able to provide an inexpensive ‘scrap’ movement for examination, allowing the technical aspects to be understood in a purely hands-on manner. This is often the best way to start to understand how clocks work and the differences in their designs. One slight word of warning though, horology can be addictive, so be prepared to lose track of time getting to understand how others have sought to measure time!

Dreweatts Auctions

Dreweatts holds two focused and thoughtfully curated Fine auctions annually, in Spring and Autumn, with other pieces included in the regular Interiors auctions. Single owner collections often appear in the Fine sales. The market is truly global and Dreweatts operates at both a local and an international level, with buyers and consignors from all over the world.

Upcoming auctions

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Request a valuation

For a free auction valuation, please contact the Dreweatts Jewellery Department on: +44 (0) 1635 553 553 | clocks@dreweatts.com or complete our online valuation form here.