John Ashurst collection; acquired on decease from Peter Hood, 2021.
Overview
Along with Synchronome, Gent were one of the major British manufacturers of electric clocks in the first half of the twentieth century. This is an example of their ‘Thornbridge’ movement, which was patented in 1904 and probably commenced manufacture the following year. Named for a prestigious installation at Thornbridge Hall in the Peak District, the Thornbridge movement was superseded by a cheaper design c.1907, but examples are known from the early 1920s, including one (TCW 1023) at The Clockworks. This clock has decorative snailing on the plate and a wooden pendulum rod with a modern bob. A ‘lock’ mounted on the back of the case enables the pendulum to be stored safely during transit.
Inventory number
TCW 1014
Date
c.1905-10
Bibliography
R. H. Miles, ‘The Gent Thornbridge Transmitter’, AHS lecture, 31 March 1999
Derek J. Bird, ‘The “Pulsynetic” System and its place in the history of electric clocks: an introductory study’, Antiquarian Horological Society (Wadhurst, 1987)
