Portrait of Benjamin Vulliamy (1747 – 1811), oil on canvas, late 18th century

Benjamin was the son of watchmaker F. J. Vulliamy. Benjamin continued his father and maternal grandfather’s business in Pall Mall. He became both Royal Clockmaker and Royal Watchmaker, though ‘too much of a gentleman to make a good tradesman’ according to his son. As his portrait shows, he sold fine or molu as well as exceptional clocks and watches. His multifarious business interests included sinking the first artesian well on his estate in Notting Hill.

Clockmakers' Museum No. B1086