This beautiful book presents the fascinating developments in precision time keeping in England from 1720 through the 18th and 19th centuries. The work of well-known 18th century horologists, Shelton, Ellicott, Arnold, Cumming, Earnshaw and the Vulliamys, Reid and Hardy and others are included. Their technical advances in precision pendulum clocks are documented along with the evolution of the cases they were housed in, from the early Georgian style to the classic Victorian dome-topped regulators. Over 700 color and black and white photographs and illustrations document these historically significant time regulators. They have become essential our everyday lives, aiding the industrial revolution, regulating the timetables of trains and being used by clockmakers to regulate the watches and clocks the world had come to rely on.

The skeleton clock probably is the most fascinating of all clocks. It displays, by means of its fretted-out frame and lack of any protective case other than a glass dome, its inner-most workings. Therefore, this type of clock attracted the attention of some of the finest makers, particularly those working in France from circa 1760-1860 as it enabled them to display their skills so completely. It was for the same reason that it was popular with their wealthy clients, who could show off their latest acquisitions so perfectly. A typical example of this is an amazing clock made by Sarton for the Duke of Lorraine, the dial of which swings to and fro so that wherever you are sitting in the room you can see it clearly. Other examples are the glass-plated clocks which apparently have no frame and often go for six months at a single winding, and clocks which show not only the time but also such things as day, date, month, moons, age and phases, sunrise and sunset, the time in other world locations, and even the equation of time(i.e. the difference between the sun's and our time). Many of these are more than clocks-they are great works of art. Numerous examples, including the products of countries such as France, Holland, Austria, and America are included and fully illustrated, frequently in color, in this book. There is a chapter on modern skeleton clocks that shows that fine clockmaking still is very much alive and well. The fascinating information on skeleton clocks made in America is the first full account to be published in over a decade.

CHRONOMETERS - Marine and pocket chronometers, pocket watches with tourbillons or carousels form, in the large family of clocks, a small group of very precisely running timepieces with little sensitivity to external influences, such as variations in temperature. In the text, the author takes up the fascinating development and history of the chronometer, portrays the most important manufactures in short biographies, and reports on the great voyages of discovery in the 18th Century that proved the utility of the chronometer as a navigational instrument. The illustration section, divided into five sections on the basis of historical and technical standpoints, portays some 350 items in the antique trade and at auctions or seen in private collections, with special emphasis placed on illustrations of their movements.

Eberhardt (1758-1839) was master clockmaker in Salem for more than thirty-eight years. Albright attributes more than thirty clocks to Eberhardt, building his evidence by a diligent reading of the Moravion records and by a careful catloging of the characteristics of each clock. He reconstructs Eberhardt's methods of clockmaking in precise detail from the inventories and the purchase invoices of equipment and materials, and he attempts to identify the cabinetmaker in each case.
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This long-awaited volume chronicles the horological work carried out in France, Germany, and North America and completes the fascinating history of precision timekeeping in recent time. In France, renowned clockmakers include the Berthouds, the Lepautes, Robin, Janvier, Lepine, LeRoy and Leroy, Bourdier, Jacot and Jarossay. In Germany the primary emphasis is on Riefler, Strasser, and Rohde, but the works of other important makers are also considered. America's contribution to precision timekeeping is chronicled including the works of Seth Thomas, Charles Fasoldt, William Bond and Son Co., E. Howard and Co. and others. Recent advancements in timekeeping include the W5, a clock created by Philip Woodward and the Littlemore clock created by Professor Hall, almost certainly the most accurate pendulum controlled clock the world has known. Over 500 beautiful color and black-and-white photographs illustrate the historical contributions of these eminent clockmakers.

Since the 13th century, a few special public clocks have included the movement of the sun, moon, earth and other planets, and from those early days Jacks were devised as human figures which actually "struck" the hours. Soon thereafter, automata appeared as mechanical figures that performed many and various acts, such as the four knights on horseback who joust on the hour at the Wells Cathedral in England. Over 300 clocks, for buildings or tabletops, which do far more than tell time, are presented here with concise historical explanations, detailed drawings, and clear color photography. 22 chapters examine the amazing mystery, novelty, and fantasy clocks that display magical acts, appear to require no power to drive them, or have no apparent connection between the movement and the hands. Famous makers in England, Germany, France, and Switzerland created these special clocks which became treasures of royalty throughout Europe and Asia, particularly in Chinese courts. Clocks with mysterious, novel, and fantastic features continue to be made up to the present for retailers such as Asprey and Cartier. For over 700 years these amazing clocks have delighted and challenged all who witness their makers' ingenuity.

Old pocket watches are endlessly fascinating and collectable. This book traces the history and development of the watch, concentrating largely on the successful designs produced during the period 1750-1900. These pieces were made in large numbers and are thus relatively easy to find, handle and own. With the aid of over 80 drawings and photographs, author Maxwell Cutmore shows how the different movements work, and discusses the many efforts to improve timekeeping over the years.

For collectors, this book provides a wealth of useful advice on repairing, buying and selling watches, plus guidelines for conducting simple research. They'll find plenty of hints on what to look for and pitfalls to avoid, ensuring that modest resources are wisely spent for hours of interest and enjoyment.