Beautiful Timepieces at the Science Museum London
32 pics. The London Science Museum now incorporates the Clock Museum which was previously housed at the Guildhall. Along with some beautifully crafted watches there are examples of chronometers.
The chronometer has been vital to the ability to create charts and safely navigate the world. The first chronometers were invented by John Harrison and are currently kept at Greenwich. Navigation and Greenwich and Greenwich Mean Time and there importance to the modern world can be found here whilst information about Harrison’s timepieces here.
Here are just a few of the hundreds of timepieces on view at the museum. It is well worth viewing the detail by right clicking on a picture, selecting “Open Link in New Tab” and then left click on the image to magnify.
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The Watches
Cornelius Yate c1620
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Robert Grinkin c1620
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Robert Grinkin
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Jean Robert Soret c1812
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L’Epine
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Andrews c1790
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Jean LeRoy
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Jean Antoine Lepine Late 18th Century
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George Daniels c1986
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The Marine Chronometers
Charles Shepherd c1822 Marine Chronometer
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Barrauds Marine Chronometer c1822
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Cogden and Son Marine Chronometer
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The Clocks
Johan Schneider c1625
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Fromanteel and Clark c1695
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J. Schmidt Table Clock c1827
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I hope you enjoyed that and so it’s goodbye from them and it’s goodbye from me.
Freed From Time 
Aren’t they incredible. These photos cause me to pause and stop time for a moment, and think of the remarkable people who made these. Timeless.
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February 9, 2016 at 14:29
Quite so. I wonder if they new their work would last for centuries. I wonder if anybody thinks that of their work these days. 🙂
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February 9, 2016 at 16:14
You find such wonderfully beautiful relics to look at. I’m curious how much one of those pocket timepieces would cost in today’s coin.
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February 9, 2016 at 15:26
About ten years at hard labour. 😀 😀
The earlier watches £10,000 to £20,000 in some cases a lot more. The more recent ornate watches £1K to £10K.
The more modern pocket watch by George Daniels or something very like it, hold onto your hat, £362,500 , here:-
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/treasures-princely-taste-l13303/lot.49.html
I’m aghast.
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February 9, 2016 at 16:11
Gah!
But how much did it cost folks then, in terms relative to today’s earnings? Was it really worth having a fancy timepiece? I was about to say I don’t have one now, but I do. It’s an expensive device that does many other things, too, including connecting me with the whole rest of the the digital world.
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February 9, 2016 at 17:41
Given the added value of antiquity about half the average persons years wage for watch jewellery at the time. Whereas the cheap purely functional would not still be around.
My turn:-
How much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood ? 🙂
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February 9, 2016 at 20:51
Reblogged this on notewords and commented:
Time on our hands…
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February 9, 2016 at 20:53
Wonderful!
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February 9, 2016 at 20:53
Thank you and thanks for the re-blog. I hope your readers enjoy. 🙂
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February 9, 2016 at 21:01
I’m sure they will. 😉
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February 9, 2016 at 21:09
A wonderful post – Thank you for sharing
Best Wishes
john
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February 9, 2016 at 23:58
You are very welcome. 🙂
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February 10, 2016 at 11:52
Oh man, do you think the museum would mind if I stole a few? The detail on some of them is incredible…
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February 12, 2016 at 00:48
I’ll tell them you said that. “Wanted for crimes against timery”. 😀 😀
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February 12, 2016 at 13:30
I suppose announcing my intentions on the internet first would not be a brilliant idea… 😛
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February 15, 2016 at 01:56
But more fun for the onlookers. 🙂
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February 15, 2016 at 15:05
“Stop, thief!”
“AAAHHHHH” *flees in the midst of manic giggles*
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February 15, 2016 at 23:58
I suppose having fleas in the midst would cause manic giggles. 😀
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February 16, 2016 at 09:56
My ex-flat’s flatmate’s cat gave us all fleas once… It was indeed the cause of other people’s giggles… “Her cat gave you fleas?! Bahahaha” *weeps*.
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March 9, 2016 at 21:19
Beautiful shots. That first one is stunning!
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February 12, 2016 at 04:50
Thank you. The watchmakers certainly show a lot of patient skill. I always find that admirable. 🙂
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February 12, 2016 at 13:32
I have loved pocketwatches since I was a little girl. My grandfather who had worked for the railroad always carried one.
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February 12, 2016 at 20:20
They are remarkable pieces of work and I’m glad you enjoyed seeing them.
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February 13, 2016 at 01:22
They are beautiful timepieces!
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November 18, 2016 at 20:12
Certainly are and all hand made too. Must have seemed moor of a wonder than a mobile phone seems today. 🙂 beep.
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November 19, 2016 at 07:59
I love this post and the photos, Graham. Many thanks.
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June 2, 2018 at 12:50
You are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed
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June 2, 2018 at 17:45