The AHS Blog
![Journal Volume 35 Issue 1](https://ahs.contentfiles.net/media/images/Journal_cover_vol35_iss1.width-600.jpg)
Was there high-quality, wholesale, clock movement manufacture in seventeenth-century London?
This post was written by James Nye
There is a fascinating article in the latest edition of Antiquarian Horology, just starting to arrive through people’s letterboxes, setting out a remarkable research question which cries out for some crowdsourcing of data—hence this blog post. For those who don’t receive a physical journal, the editor has conveniently made it the sample article for this quarter. You can download it here.
![Hands of a clock signed John Davis of Windsor, c. 1680. © Harris (Belmont) Charity.](https://ahs.contentfiles.net/media/images/1.width-600.jpg)
Put simply, it is suggested a range of prominent makers (or perhaps retailers) bought in largely finished movements from a single source, and arranged for their casing/signature/final finishing.
This is clearly a very well-understood practice in the watch world from a relatively early date, and was certainly common practice in the clock world later on. For example, Thwaites produced movements for a wide range of other clockmakers and clockmaking firms, and on a large scale.
The question remains, how early did this standard practice emerge, and is there sufficient physical evidence to allow us to draw firm conclusions?
![Distinctive click-spring from a clock by Edward Burgis, c. 1695–1700](https://ahs.contentfiles.net/media/images/2.width-600.jpg)
The key element is that Jon’s piece is a call to arms! More data is needed. And it is not difficult to look for it. This is a massively worthwhile project to support, and whatever the outcome, if you can supply data you can play a part in improving our understanding of clockmaking practice in London in the period 1660–1720. Please do get involved!
![Count wheel from a longcase signed John Aylward of Guildford, c. 1695.](https://ahs.contentfiles.net/media/images/3.width-600.jpg)
![Back cock on a longcase clock re-signed for Robert Seignior, c. 1680. © Harris (Belmont) Charity.](https://ahs.contentfiles.net/media/images/4.width-600.png)
![Characteristic lozenge-shaped hour bridge, with bevelled edges, Aylward, c. 1695.](https://ahs.contentfiles.net/media/images/5.width-600.jpg)