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Nov 20,2024
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Dating Antique Clocks by the Makers' Names

Your clock has a name, trademark or signature on it. Great! It should be easy to look up the name and find out exactly when the clock was made, right? It's not always that easy. Although a name can be a good starting point for dating a clock, pinpointing the year it was made can still be difficult for a number of reasons.

For one thing, the name on the clock may not always refer to its maker. It was common practice during much of the 19th century for the retailer who sold the clock to put its name on the dial. In many areas of retailing this "private labeling" is still a common practice, like when a large supermarket chain like Safeway labels some of their food products as the "Safeway" brand, even though it was made by a different name-brand food manufacturer.

For example, a clock with the name "J. Kent, London" may either be the name of the clockmaker or the name of the proprietor who sold it. You may be able to find historical records of the retailer that can help date the clock within a certain range

There are other potential pitfalls in relying solely on a name to date a clock, even when you can determine positively that the name is that of its maker.The movement could have been removed from its original case (perhaps because of damage to the case) and

"married" to an empty clock case in need of a movement. For example, a movement made in1890 by Seth Thomas might wind up in a Waterbury clock case made years before.

With these caveats in mind, it can still be quite helpful to consult on of the resources (listed below) that give the names and working dates of the multitudes of clockmakers working throughout the world in the past few centuries. Keep in mind that no one list is complete. Even if the name on your clock (if it has one) is not a listed one, your clock could still be quite old. In determining its age, it's important to include many factors other than just the name. Always consider the clock's case style and materials, type of movement, decorative elements, model (if known), patina, and any known restoration work or documentation in addition to a name.

If you don't find your maker's name listed in our searchable online database of more than 10,000 clockmakers, try consulting a copy of one of the major references listed below. Some are currently out of print and may be available only through your local city, county or university library. They may also be purchased through online booksellers or dealers in out of print books.

Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World (Vol I) by G. H. Baillie; first published by Methuen, London, 1929; later editions by N.A.G. Press, London
A listing of clockmakers who flourished until 1825. Entries give geographic location, dates and type of work. There is also a listing of names with alternative spellings and a list of place names and maps

Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World (Vol II) by Brian Loomis; Robert Hale Ltd., London
Written as a supplement to the late G.H. Baillie's _Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World (Vol. I) Contains approximately 35,000 entries, including information for clockmakers who flourished from 1820 to 1875. It also includes additional information about many of those listed in the original work.

Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers by F. J. Britten; assorted publishers and reprints from 1881 - 2000
First published in 1881, there were 14 subsequent editions through 1955, with reprints as recent as 2000. Has between 25,000 - 50,000 names listed, depending on edition.

Dictionary of American Clock and Watch Makers by Kenneth A. Sposato; Kenneth A. Sposato, White Plains, NY
Watch makers, clock peddlers, case makers, jewelers, label printers, dial makers, and inventors are listed. Entries provide working dates and a geographic location. Many entries provide birth and death dates and special achievements, and some entries are keyed to the bibliography for additional references.

American Clockmakers & Watchmakers by S & T Spittler and C. Bailey; Arlington Book Company, Inc.
Covers 16,000 makers with paragraphs of information on thousands of better known makers.

Dictionnaire des Horlogers Francais by Tardy; Tardy, Paris
(In French) Alphabetical listing of over 23,000 names, including many photographs, drawings, marks, signatures, and portraits. There are several specialized indexes including one by city.

Chronometer Makers of the World by T. Mercer; N.A.G. Press
General history, identification marks and extensive listing names/dates/anecdotal detail of makers and associated craftsmen.

Clock and Watch Trademark Index, European Origin by Karl Kochmann; Clockworks Press
Massive listing of European trademarks, wordmarks and company names. Includes an illustration of each mark, the name and address of the manufacturer, and the dates when registered. 989 pages.

Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Central England by Joseph McKenna; Mayfield Books, Mayfield, Ashbourne, England
A detailed study of clockmaking and watchmaking in Birmingham and Coventry and the three surrounding counties of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire. Includes watchmakers' & clockmakers' trademarks and their makers' listed by town.

British Clockmakers & Watchmakers Apprentice Records 1710-1810 by Dennis Moore; Mayfield Books, Mayfield, Ashbourne, England
The apprenticeship details of over 14,000 clockmakers, watchmakers and others involved in the horological trade in Britain, listed under both the apprentice and his master, extracted from the tax records in the Public Record Office. Included are not only those who trained in London and are recorded by the Clockmakers' Company, but most importantly, also those who were members of other companies and those who worked in the provinces, whose details have never before been published.

Clockmakers and Watchmakers of Maryland, 1660-1900 by Whisker, James Biser, PhD; The Edwin Mellen Press Ltd., New York
Using mainly original sources (US census, tax lists, advertisements, family records) this volume details the clock- and watchmakers in Maryland between 1660-1900.

Pennsylvania Clockmakers and Watchmakers, 1660-1900 by Whisker, James Biser, PhD; The Edwin Mellen Press Ltd., New York
Using mainly original sources (US Census, tax lists, advertisements, family records, etc.) this volume details the clock- and watchmakers in the Province of and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania between 1660 and 1900.

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