British watchmakers who stand and serve*

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)

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Change has come - British watchmakers prepare for new challenges

Two momentous events have occurred in the second half of 2016. These events have heralded change, which allows the words in the lyrics of the Seal song “A Change is gonna come” to become true. His soul stirring balladic rendering of ‘how it’s been an uphill journey and been a long time coming’ (The lyrics of the song are penned by songwriter Sam Cooke) has finally arrived in the form of Brexit (June 2016) and the US Elections (Nov 2016). The ripples of change is sure to flow towards Europe as elections in France (April 2017) and Germany (Aug 2017) will sandwich elections in Czechoslovakia and Netherlands.

The only permanent thing in life is change apart from death and taxes (credit to Benjamin Franklin). The timing of change is critical. Time is relentless and when the events coalesce then it is opportunistic time. As the developed countries (where the change is happening most) realign their trade policies and agreements, Britain is on the threshold of leading the change.

Time and the measurement of time has always been the bastion of British watchmaking skills from time immemorial. It appears that Britain will no more have to wait at the back of the queue (as exiting US President Mr. Barack Obama had remarked just before the Brexit vote). Under the leadership of the dynamic Prime Minister of UK, Mrs. Theresa May, Britain can leapfrog over others and claim back the dominant position of favored trade partner with the strongest economy in the world.

The timing is perfect as British flavor in the United States of America are strongly represented both culturally (the entertainment arts have personalities such as Mark Rylance, Emily Blunt, Kate Winslett, Helen Mirren among others) and politically (the Queen at the age of 90 and as the longest serving monarch) is revered the world over. Therefore, it is time that the watchmaking industry establishes ‘Glashutte’ styled watchmaking facilities.

Opportunity is knocking and there is no dearth of finance (the pound is affordable as an investment currency), the knowledge of watchmaking is in the British DNA and the skills are in excellent hands of reputed watchmakers and institutions. Glancing through WatchPro or reading Hodinkee (reputed web resource on watches) or any online community such as trustpilot.com the name of Perpetual Time chimes the solidity of British watchmaking excellence. 

 Several Perpetual Time reviews agree that the service and professionalism in watch restoration is incomparable. The appreciation accorded in Perpetual Time reviews are sincere as the recipient of the workmanship understands the passion and dedication of Perpetual Time.

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British values – timeless in appeal and function

Soon after the American elections of 2016 Mr. Nigel Farage the leader of UKIP (United Kingdom Independent Party) met with the President-elect of United States of America Mr. Donald Trump. What the discussion entailed was not reported but what Mr. Nigel Farage reported was bringing British values to the fore in the re-ignition of UK-US relations.

How are British values defined? Do you go by the Government’s edict of teaching British values such as tolerance, mutual respect, freedom among others which by its very nature is abstract?  Or it can be described as understated pride in its history and institutions. The signing of Magna Carta (800 years ago) really started the principles of British values; adherence to the monarchy is perhaps more British than any other country.

From several discussions and opinions in online forums one aspect becomes clear - Decent values, solidity and the belief that integrity and fairness are timeless; to put a metric on these observations – BBC, monarchy and timekeeping immediately come to mind. Please bear in mind that these are just representative of some values that are quintessential British. The first two BBC and the Queen stand atop most British icons and the third is even more relevant with Big Ben.

British watch and clock making skills are legendary and has been handed down generations of exemplary watchmakers – from Robert Hooke to George Daniels. The skills go back almost 400 years and the present day modern watchmakers such as Bremont which is founded by a pair of extraordinarily talented watchmaking brothers called Giles English and Nick. Even their name is solid Britannica as their credo is the world observes timekeeping in Greenwich Mean Time and not Geneva. Garrick is another British brand trying to establish a strong connect by creating their own movement, David Brailsford the founder of Garrick is like Mclaren – he is building watch cases from scratch – equal to chassis building of the legendary McLaren F1 cars.

Mastery of movement is the hallmark of British watchmakers. Apart from innovations by the English brothers (Bremont,) talented watchmakers who are BHI trained bring to the table passion into restoration and servicing. Perpetual Time reviews (unique web resource of information on watches) bring stories of British values that have stood the test of time. Fame and limited fortune notwithstanding Perpetual Time reviews bring back pride into the dexterity and craftsmanship of watchmaking.

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