Clockmakers' Museum

The Clockmakers’ Museum stands in the Science Museum in South Kensington, London. It is the world’s oldest public collection of clocks and watches. The Clockmakers’ Charity, linked to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers founded in 1631, has cared for the collection since 1814. The museum opened to the public in 1873 at Guildhall before moving to its present home in 2015. It now occupies a gallery twice the size of the former space. The collection includes over 660 watches, 30 clocks and 15 marine timekeepers. The museum’s value lies in its rare objects and historical significance. John Harrison’s fifth marine timekeeper, H5, was acquired in 1891 after persuasion by the Rev Harry Leonard Nelthropp. Harrison’s original manuscripts were later purchased with funds from collector Reginald Gowan Beloe. The collection also holds early items such as pallets from an escapement by Alexander Cumming. George White, Keeper from 1988 to 2018, expanded the museum and organised its move to the Science Museum. The gallery follows a clear chronological path from the 15th century to modern pieces. Visitors find a carefully arranged display of timepieces in chronological order. The east end shows early European clocks and watches, while the west end features 19th- and 20th-century items. Highlights include a star watch by David Ramsay, clocks by Edward East and Samuel Knibb, and an astronomical table clock possibly owned by Isaac Newton. Information panels explain the craft and career opportunities in horology. The gallery is designed to educate and inspire new students of clockmaking.