Trust the English to honour their exceptional savants in a unique
manner. The London City Council has erected a blue plaque at Camden’s High
Holborn Street bearing No 119. The plaque is a commemoration as well as marking
out the workshop of one of England’s celebrated watchmaker Thomas Earnshaw.
Thomas Earnshaw
chronometers in history
Referred by Captain Matthew Flinders (1774 – 1814, Master of
HMS Investigator that circumnavigated
Australia for the first time in 1802) as “this excellent timekeeper” in
reference to the Earnshaw chronometer No E520 the description is a testament to
the excellent charts that are still used today. This circumnavigation is now
part of legend that earned the name and a lasting legacy of Terra Australis.
Thomas Earnshaw was already aware of his talents when he
opened the 119 Holborn business premises where he began to use his own name as
a signature for his watch creations. His marine chronometer became an Admiralty
standard as he designed the modification to the chronometer escapement as well
as the compensation balance. He was encouraged by the Royal Astronomer Nevil
Maskelyne to continue making chronometers as he was impressed with the quality
and it is a matter of pride that E1503 and E1504 chronometers were pressed into
Captain William Bligh’s expedition to the West Indies on board HMS Providence. Chronometer E506 also
carries a special historical significance as this device was part of HMS Beagle which had a famous passenger
Charles Darwin exploring the world recording his observations that would be
published in the historical study of evolution “On the Origin of Species”.
Thomas Earnshaw hailed from Manchester and so does the
present day passionate watchmaker restorer Perpetual Time. The same passion and
dedication to the craft of horology is exhibited by this watchmaker who is
appreciated by dozens of people in Perpetual Time reviews. Thomas Earnshaw can rest in peace knowing that his legacy is
alive and flourishing as several Perpetual Time reviews
is proof of this fact.
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