Articles on Watches & Clocks
Pocket Watches, Clocks, Sundials, Indentures, Watch Papers
Articles on American Watches & Watchmaking
Moses Morse Pocket Watch Article
Moses Morse designed and manufactured the first going-barrel watches on American soil. His work arguably marks the true beginning of the American watch industry (W&C Bulletin, 2019).
Plantation Owner's Watch Article
This stunning 22-carat gold colonial watch was sold by Joshua Lockwood who operated the most prestigious clock & watch shop in Charleston, Carolina before the Revolutionary War (W&C Bulletin, 2019).
Robert Leslie Watchmaker Article - Part I
Robert Leslie Watchmaker Article - Part 2
Robert Leslie received the first American patents for clock and watch inventions signed by George Washington. His patents include chronometer, constant force and clock escapements, the torsion pendulum, and the "Nautical Watch," a watch designed to assist navigation at sea (W&C Bulletin, 2018).
S. G. Jones & Edward Massey Escapements
S.G. Jones imported state-of-the-art watches with early Massey escapements from England. He was previously affiliated with a number of well respected watchmakers including Abraham Patton, Isaac Price and Robert Leslie (W&C Bulletin / British Horology Times, 2017).
America's Oldest Watch
Born in Cronton, England, John Wright was one of the first watchmakers to immigrate to colonial America and the maker of the earliest known American-signed watch. The movement may have been finished by Wright in colonial New York. The sun & moon dial was likely fabricated by a local silversmith in the city (W&C Bulletin, 2014).
Anglo-American Watch Trade
The article discusses Providence, Rhode island clock maker and Quaker Caleb Wheaton who arranged to import watches from England for his wealthy clientele toward the turn of the 19th century (Clocks Magazine, 2012).
Colonial & Early American Watchmakers
The story of watchmaking in colonial America is vastly more interesting and complex than previously assumed. This article discusses early watchmaking and the environment in which American makers worked (W&C Bulletin, 2010).
William Keith Pocket Watch Article
William Keith was an apprentice for Luther Goddard, the first American to manufacture watches in significant quantity (W&C Bulletin, 2009).
Watchmaker Apprenticeship Indenture
Indenture for Pennuel Russell to watchmaker's John Warner and Ebenezer Thomas of Norfolk Virginia during the Yellow Fever pandemic (W&C Bulletin, 2020).
Articles on Watch Papers
Collecting Watch Papers
Many American watch papers are miniature pieces of art that date from colonial times (W&C Bulletin, 2013).
Updated: Clocks Magazine, 2021
George Washington Watch Paper
Watch papers were early advertising that reminded the owner where to service his watch, but this is an example of a rare perpetual calendar paper that commemorated the death of President George Washington in 1799 (Maine Antique Digest, 2012).
Washington Commemorative Watch Paper
Watch Paper Copper Plate Article
Although millions of watch papers were printed in Europe and America, very few original copper plates survive. This masonic example was for the watchmaker Louis Kyezor of Doncaster (England), and the reverse features a fabulous trade card for a harness maker named Goodworth. The plate is signed by the engraver Boocock of Doncaster, England (British Horology Times, 2013).
Articles on English Watches
Sun & Moon Pocket Watch Article
Observations on an early English sun and moon dial pocket watch made by William Martin of Bristol (British Horology Times, 2015).
Queen Anne Pocket Watch Article
Observations on an early English pocket watch made by Thomas Bell of London that has a Royal cipher for Queen Anne (Clocks Magazine / British Horology Times, 2012).
Lord Nelson Pocket Watch Article
Observations on an automation watch that depicts the sinking of the French flagship L'Orient by Lord Nelson's fleet during the Battle of the Nile (W&C Bulletin, 2006).
John De Lafons Clock Watch Article
Observations on a 18K gold clock-watch made for the Turkish market by John De Lafons, a prominent maker who was awarded a prize for his work on longitude & timekeeping at sea (W&C Bulletin, 2005).
Fromanteel Article
Analysis and restoration of a 17th century pocket watch signed by Fromanteel, likely Abraham Fromanteel (W&C Bulletin, 2021).
Articles on Clocks & Sundials
Anglo-American Clocks Article
The export of American movements and clocks to England during the mid-19th century marked the end of British clockmaking dominance (British Horology Times, 2018).
John Davis Clock Article
17th century clock by John Davis of Windsor, England. John Davis was an important clock maker who made the famous carillon clock located in Suffrage Tower at Windsor Castle (Clocks Magazine, 2015).
American Clockmaking Tools Article
The story of clock maker Nathaniel Mulliken, the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington, and the oldest surviving clock-making tools in America (W&C Bulletin, 2015).
William Bartleet Clock
William Barleet made inexpensive quarter striking & alarm clocks for the emerging middle class in Birmingham, England (British Horology Times, 2014).
Scottish Sundial
Observations on a 17th century sundial from Fife, England (British Horology Times, 2010 and The British Sundial Society Bulletin, Volume 31, 3/2019.
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