Founded in 1631, The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers is the oldest surviving horological institute in the world. Its museum constitutes the oldest collection specifically of clocks, watches and sundials in existence.
John Harrison’s personal time keeper
Our Hero, John Harrison
The museum is also home to John Harrison’s personal regulator clock ca. 1725 , made almost entirely of wood – including the movement. Correct within 1 second a month, this was the most accurate clock in the world for many years to come.
If you notice in the photo, there is a handwritten table of data. Harrison utilized this data, probably written in his own hand (!) when testing his sea clocks.
A definite must see!
Harrison H5
The museum also houses Harrison’s last known marine chronometer, H5.
Harrison’s H 5
Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
When we visited, we had reason to call upon the director and ask him to mediate a mystery we were investigating. Although befuddled by the request, he was polite and accommodating.
I have enjoyed seeing your web site. I am working on a Gledhill-Brook Time Recorder with the Fusee movement. I have never worked on a fusee movement and am kind of causious. I would like to know more about the fusee workings. Is there a spring in the big barrel. I need to take it apart to clean it. Thank you. Tommy Chandler, (clockman@frontiernet.net)