Once Upon A ‘Time’

the clockmaker’s museum

by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

One thing we all do is count down time until our next vacation! We monitor closely the time of our flight and the length of the journey, the local time at our destination.

We measure time in everything!

Our existence on planet earth is measured in time, the rotation of the sun and moon dictates our day and night, providing us with a natural timekeeper. By using natures measurements of the stars and planets in time gone by, we knew our exact position on the oceans and seas.

Since antiquity the passing of time has been used for religious, scientific and business purposes. Time became more important in the 16th century when seafaring European nations wanted to explore, conquer and trade. Travelling across the great oceans these fleets could measure their latitude location, but not their longitude, so the need for an accurate timekeeper on board the ship was essential. This was the greatest challenge of the time; to create an accurate clock.

Recording time during daylight was easy by using sundials – the sun rose in the east and set in the west. However, measuring time in darkness or in cloudy weather, which it was a lot of the time in Europe was the inspiration to invent the mechanical clock.

Every day we take time for granted. Yet it defines us every second of every day.

Looking back in time and at time was something we recently did at the London Science Museum. The Clockmaker’s Museum has a fantastic collection of beautiful and priceless time pieces gathered over the centuries and timepieces that have been used to measure all kinds of things.

Browse the showcases of over 600 watches, 90 clocks, 30 marine chronometers as well as sundials and exquisite internal goldwork and engraving in timepieces that takes you on a journey from the beginning of ‘time’ telling to the present day.

The collection on display is the oldest of its kind in the world, so it’s worth seeing just for that! The timepieces were collected by an ancient City of London Guild called the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, which was founded in 1631. It was not until 1831 that the guild had its own library and began to collect horological books and timepieces, the majority of which are on display today.

Be it from a pocket watch to a ships clock, a grandfather clock or an elegant dress watch encrusted with gems. Watches and clocks continue to ‘tick’ through the history of time itself.

The story of clocks and watchmaking is a remarkable story and one which is really brought to life when visiting this incredible collection within the museum.