The 18th century self-educated horologist invented a marine chronometer which revolutionised sea navigation.
Harrison subsequently turned his attention to watchmaking having realised that measuring longitude could be achieved with greater convenience from a pocket watch.
Here is news of two clock and watch fairs held this weekend where vintage pocket watches are likely to be found.
Institute inspiration
The British Horological Institute’s UK branches hold regular events and two of these clock and watch fairs are running this weekend.
For the Ipswich branch, Josephine Stephens has organised the biannual Essex Clock and Watch Fair for the past three years. The next is on Sunday, April 22, at the Marks Tey Parish Hall, Marks Tey, Colchester.
She said: “We have up to 40 tables and some of the exhibitor BHI members bring along very interesting old clocks, parts etc. Regular dealers here include Kelvedon Clocks from Essex, Oundle Clocks from Peterborough and Pennyfarthing Tools who sell online.”
The BHI is the heartbeat of horology and Stephens also organises its annual clock and watch fair at its HQ, Upton Hall, near Newark, with this year’s event running on Sunday, June 3.
For details of the Essex and BHI fairs contact Josephine Stephens on 07834 235672 or at horologist007@outlook.com
Malcolm Pickering of Pennyfarthing Tools sells online a large selection of horological tools at all prices, some in the high hundreds.
His stock includes avintage German pocket watch bow cutting tool in “very good condition (pictured top) with all the cutters intact and sharp…with the box a little worn, priced at £90”.
Pickering will be bringing this and plenty of other tools to the Essex Clock and Watch Fair.
Watch out for West Country event
A keen interest is being shown in this stand at one of last year’s biannual West Country Clock and Watch Fairs.
An example of what may be found at West Country Clock and Watch Fairs’ event on Sunday, April 22, at the Holiday Inn in Taunton, is the eight-day c.1900 French four-glass clock, sometimes referred to as a library clock, shown top. These often strike the hours and half hours on either a bell or a gong.
This example comes from the collection of Malcolm Pipes, a member of the fairs’ organising committee of BHI’s Bristol branch.
