Thornbridge movement acquired from Colin Reynolds; cast bracket and tank base from the Les Paton collection; tank commissioned 2025; clock assembled by Takumi Hamano, 2026.
In depth
This is a reconstruction of a Gent 'Thornbridge' movement as it would have appeared in a glass tank, for use as a time standard in observatories and laboratories. Named for a prestigious early installation at Thornbridge Hall in the Peak District, and manufactured between c.1905-1929, the 'Thornbridge' was Gent's 'Rolls Royce' movement. Though beautifully made, it was expensive to produce and the delicately calibrated movement is difficult to maintain. As a result, fewer than 10 examples are known to survive today—including two others at The Clockworks (TCW 1023 and TCW 1014). A specially jewelled version of the movement was produced and housed in a glass tank, one example being shipped to the Nizam of Hyderabad’s observatory. No complete clock in this form is known to have survived.
This clock is a 'marriage', combining an original standard Thornbridge movement (number 7) and high-quality Gent pendulum, bracket and rods, with a new glass tank, commissioned for The Clockworks and assembled by Takumi Hamano in 2026.
Inventory number
TCW 1082
Date
Movement c.1905-1929, reconstruction 2026
Bibliography
Robert Miles, ‘The Gent Thornbridge transmitter’, AHS lecture 31 March 1999
Derek Bird, ‘The “Pul-Syn-Etic” System and its Place in the History of Electric Clocks: An Introductory Study’ Antiquarian Horology (March, June and Autumn 1987)
