The story of horology is largely the story of the search for ever more precise ways of measuring time. Natural processes such as the movement of the sun across the sky could provide an approximate measure of time, but the limitations inherent in such procedures meant that they could never lead to the development of precision instruments. All that changed with the invention of mechanical clocks in the 13th century. In the centuries which followed the relentless drive towards ever greater accuracy led clock makers to come up with numerous technological innovations some of which would have applications and consequences far beyond the sphere of timekeeping.
Many of these advances in accuracy were sudden and dramatic. The development of the pendulum in the mid 17th century improved the accuracy of clocks from plus or minus one hour per day to plus or minus five minutes. The introduction of the balance spring in watches had similar results. By the end of the 18th century the spring detent escapement and compensated balance had brought the accuracy of watches to within two seconds per day.
The development of precision time keeping instruments both reflected a dramatic change in social attitudes and helped to bring those changes about. Ultimately it transformed the pattern of peoples' daily lives: it also opened up new possibilities for exploring the world around us. In this section we see some of the examples of precision time keepers in the Heritage Services collections and their importance for particular areas of human activity, such as navigation.
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An English Regulator Clock by Brock, c.1880
This English Regulator Clock is weight driven with four legged gravity escapement in a solid glazed mahogany case.
'Regulator' is the name given to clocks which were designed to be extremely accurate. They are usually non-striking. The name derives from the fact that such clocks were used like a master to regulate other less accurate timepieces. These could be checked and adjusted to bring them into line with the regulator.
Made by Brock in c.1880, this Regulator is of superb quality throughout with its gravity escapement and outstanding case.
A Marine Chronometer by Parkinson and Frodsham
A small marine chronometer, mounted in gimbals with a mahogany box, No.105, c.1810. By Parkinson and Frodsham, Change Alley, London. This is the earliest recorded marine chronometer by this firm (operating 1801-1890).
William Parkinson came from Lancaster and possibly worked in Prescot before coming to London. He was made free of the Clockmakers Company in 1802 and died, c.1842. William Frodsham (1779-1850), was Master of the Company in 1836. The partnership specialised in chronometers.
The movement is fusee driven with Harrison’s maintaining power. As with the best chronometers, the wheel train has high count pinions, i.e. pinions with large numbers of leaves (teeth) in order to minimise friction. The escapement is Earnshaw’s spring detent with bi-metallic balance and segmental weights. The movement is mounted in gimbals so that it remains horizontal and thus undisturbed by the motion of the ship. The key has an internal ratchet and click.
The importance of precision timekeeping for the calculation of a ship's position had been demonstrated in the 18th century by Harrison. Harrison's innovations transformed the safety and practicability of navigation.
A 'Grand Complication' Watch by Lund and Blockley
The name 'grand complication watch' refers to a watch provided with chronograph work, repeating work and a calendar.
This example made by Lund and Blockley is a gold open faced 'grand complication' watch, with moon phase, perpetual calendar and minute repeat.
A perpetual calendar is one which automatically changes to the first of each month and which indicates leap years.
