British watchmaking legends are just not limited to history
changers and royal patronage. There are a host of unsung watchmaking geniuses
that have served the industry down the ages. A watch researcher and aficionado
David Buckden posts blogs (theoldwatchword.blogspot.in). He wears many hats
such as writer on art history and the fine art print scene pertaining to 1960s.
He studies horology and researches in detail. The following stories are due to
his efforts. Perpetual Time Reviews is indebted
to David Buckden.
Ralph Gout (1770
– 1836) was perhaps the finest innovator of his time creating time pieces that
had dual purposes. Although he patented some of his work most of his creations
were sold in the Middle East or Turkey to the Ottoman Empire which at that time
was a flourishing and wealthy civilization. He died in bankruptcy but his son
and partners continued to market the brand as it had a sound and stellar
reputation for quality.
Bracebridge watches
Edward Bracebridge was a watchmaker in 1766. He had two sons
Edward Charles and James Charles. The two brothers continued the watchmaking
business of their father and it appears they prospered. Edward’s son James II
(1823-1892) served as office bearer of the Watch and Clockmakers BenevolentInstitute. As his health was failing he appointed his nephew to manage the
affairs of the watch business. Here is the interesting part as the business had
a manager named T. D. Wright. This was none other than Thomas Wright who became
a famous watchmaker in his own right. The British Summer Time is adjusted to
this day as per the suggestion of Thomas Wright. He was also the watchmaker to
King George III. In Dec 2016 one of his watches was listed for an auction sale
in a Sotheby’s catalogue.
VAN HAM Kunstaukitonen slated another noted watchmaker’s
chronometer for an auction sale during Nov 2016. The watchmaker was Alexander
Watkins and the watch was the gold chronometer made specifically for the Great
Exhibition of 1851.
Perpetual Time review is a
web resource that brings intriguing stories of British watchmaking. It is a
credit to people like David Buckden that enables other web portals to highlight
the glory of British skill in horology.
*due credit to English
poet John Milton (1608 – 1674)
Related Source: https://perpetualtimereviews.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/british-watchmakers-who-stand-and-serve/
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