Caesium atomic clock, 1955.

Time Measurement

1955

Caesium atomic clock made by Louis Essen and J.V.L. Parry at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, London, 1955.

Wells Cathedral clock, 1392

Time Measurement

1392

Wells Cathedral clock, England, 1392

Marine chronometer by John Arnold and Son, 1787-1799

Time Measurement

1787-1799

Two-day marine chronometer (No 63) by John Arnold and Son, Cornhill, London, 1787-1799.

Early balance spring watch by Thomas Tompion

Time Measurement

1675-1679

Early balance spring pocket watch in silver case made by Thomas Tompion, Fleet Street, London, England, 1675-79. The watch features an unusual dial showing minutes on the main dial and two subsidiary dials for the hours (in the upper position) and seconds (in the lower position). The subsidiary dial for hours indicates up to six hours in each cycle.

Double-dialled longcase clock from Park Green Mill

Time Measurement

1800-1820

Double dialled longcase clock from Park Green Mill, Macclesfield, made by E. Hartley, Macclesfield, c. 1810, includes clock and belts, pulleys and lineshafting.

Chinese Incense Clock

Time Measurement

Chinese incense clock, consists of 3 trays, 2 “maze” stencils, a latticework lid and a leveller, made by Ming Hsin, Chao, China.

Table clock by Nicholas Vallin

Time Measurement

1598-1603

Circular table-clock with calendrical and lunar indications made by Nicholas Vallin in London between 1598 and 1603.

Pendulum clock designed by Galileo in 1642 and made by his son in 1649, model.

Time Measurement

1642-1649 (original); 1883 (model)

Model showing the first idea of the application of the pendulum to the clock designed by Galileo in 1642, made his son Vincenzo in 1649 and illustrated by Vincenzo Viviani, Italy. This model is by Eustachio Porcellotti, Florence, Italy, 1883.

Pocket watch by Thomas Tompion

Time Measurement

1675-1700

Pocket watch with cylinder escapement and tortoiseshell case made by Thomas Tompion, Fleet Street, London, between 1675 and 1700. Inscribed 'T. Tompion London 3' on the movement and inscribed 'Graham' on the dial.

Sun-and-moon dial by Elias Allen

Time Measurement

1607-1653

Sun-and-moon dial made by Elias Allen between 1607 and 1653 at his workshop, near St. Clement's Church, London. Engraved "Elias Allen fecit a Moone diall". It is callibrated for use at the latitude 51 1/2.

Egyptian merkhet

Time Measurement

600 BCE

'Merkhet', Ancient Egyptian astronomical timekeeping instrument, bronze with hieroglyphic text inlaid with electrum metal, fitted with replica plumb bob, 600BCE. Inscription indicates it was the property of Bes, son of Khonsirtis (Khensardais var.), an astronomer priest of the god, Horus of Edfu in Upper Egypt. Used to layout axes of buildings and to determine the hours of the night by observing the passage of selected stars across the north-south meridian.

Empire type world clock for indicating time around the globe

Time Measurement

1909

'Empire' type world clock for indicating the time around the globe at various longitudes with accessories, unknown maker, France, 1909. Patented by Etienne de Gounevitch and Armand Gustave Couailett (British patent No. 23, 449, 1909), with brass winding key.

Clock movement for Shelton regulator clock

Time Measurement

1768-1769

Movement for regulator clock with dead beat escapement, inverted grid iron pendulum with steel knife edge pivot on an agate plate and bubble level. Originally made by John Shelton, Shoe Lane, London, 1768-9, with later modifications.

Barograph clock by Alexander Cumming

Time Measurement

1766

Barograph clock made by Alexander Cumming (1731 or 1732-1814), London, England, 1766. It consists of a compensated pendulum regulator clock and a mercury barograph mechanism for measuring changes in air pressure, which are recorded on the circular paper chart around the outside of the dial. Two tubes of mercury are concealed in the fluted wooden columns visible inside the glass trunk door. An ivory cistern and a wood and ivory pen cage run in ivory rollers connecting the pressure-measuring mechanism to the recording dial. The clock is housed in an exuberant carved mahogany case believed to be by the esteemed cabinet-maker Thomas Chippendale. Originally used by Cumming himself, the barograph clock was purchased in around 1814 and used by manufacturing chemist and meteorologist, Luke Howard (1772-1864).

Kundo 'Space Timer' radio-controlled quartz desk clock, 1988.

Time Measurement

1988

Kundo Space Timer Clock, synchronised to the 77.5 kHz time signals from the DCF 77 radio transmitter at Mainflingen, near Frankfurt, Germany, made by Kieninger und Obergfell GmbH, St Georgen/Schw, Germany, in 1988.

Clock weight from long-case clock by Fromanteel

Time Measurement

1660-1665

Brass-cased lead clock weight from long-case clock made by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, London, 1660-1665. The outer brass casing is engraved with a coat of arms featuring a shield and crown.

Masterpiece clock from Augsburg, Germany, 1625-1635

Time Measurement

1625-1635

Upright table clock, by unknown maker, made in Augsburg, Germany, 1625-1635

Harrison's eight-day wooden clock movement, 1715.

Time Measurement

1715

Original eight day clock by Harrison, date 1715, wheel work mostly of wood. With correspondence concerning Harrison clocks

Clock

Time Measurement

Clock (French) symbolising motive power, gilt bronze finish, 19th C. B 1987 with two keys.

Cubical polyhedral sundial

Time Measurement

1751-1800

German universal cubical sundial in wood with paper scales, signed D. Beringer, compass needle and cover glass missing, c.1780

Byzantine sundial-calendar

Time Measurement

400-600

Sundial-calendar consisting of four surviving parts (including front sundial plate, suspension arm, Moon disc with gear, and arbor with ratchet and two gear wheels). Made in the Byzantine Empire, maker unknown, 400-600. 16 locations are inscribed in Greek on the sundial plate, translated as: Constantinople, Syene, Thebaid, Africa, Alexandria, Antioch, Rhodes, Athens, Sicily, Thessalonika, Rome, Dalmatia, Doclea, Caesarea Sratonis, Palestine, and Ascalon.

Moving magnet galvanometer with dial inscribed "Greenwich Mean Time", 1843-1897

Time Measurement

1843-1897

Moving magnet galvanometer with dial inscribed "Greenwich Mean Time", made by Hunt and Roskell Limited, Clerkenwell, London, England, 1843-1897. The face of the instrument reads: 'This needle is deflected precisely at each hour, Hunt & Roskell Ltd, jewellers and watchmakers'

Pulley from long-case clock by Fromanteel

Time Measurement

1660-1665

Pulley from long-case clock made by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, London, 1660-1665.

Silver sundial by Hunfrey Cole

Time Measurement

1568-1590

Silver altitude sundial made and signed by Humfray Cole, London, 1568-1590. It was made for use in latitude 51°30 secs, in which London is located,

Equinoctial ring sundial

Time Measurement

1719-1791

Universal equinoctial ring sundial signed "J Gilbert Tower Hill London". English, second half of the 18th century. (B1698)

Gear wheel from long-case clock by Fromanteel

Time Measurement

1660-1665

Brass gear wheel from long-case clock made by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, London, 1660-1665.

Compendium by Augustine Ryther

Time Measurement

1588

Compendium comprised of universal equinoctial sundial, compass and calendar made by Augustine Ryther in 1588. Signed 'A Ryther * Fecit * 1588" and incribed "WILLIAM PAWLEY OWETH THIS SAME IN ANNO DOMINI 1588".

Gear wheel from long-case clock by Fromanteel

Time Measurement

1660-1665

Brass gear wheel and pinion from long-case clock made by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, London, 1660-1665.

Sundial making tool

Time Measurement

1690-1710

Tool for making sundials, unknown maker, France, 1680-1700.

Compendium by Elias Allen

Time Measurement

1630-1653

Compendium consisting of a sundial, companss and calendar indices made by Elias Allen between 1630 and 1653, near St. Clement's Church close to the Strand, London. Inscribed: "Elias Allen fecit" and outer lid engraved with the royal coat of arms.

Sand glass in four pillared wooden mount

Time Measurement

1750-1800

Single sand glass in four pillared wooden mount. 17 minutes. Horne Type B. Second half of the 18th century. (B3247)

Barnard Tompion clock

Time Measurement

1708

Table clock with striking mechanism made by Thomas Tompion and original oak carry case. The movement is signed: ‘Tho: Tompion/Edw: Banger/London’ and numbered 460.

Escape wheel from long-case clock by Fromanteel

Time Measurement

1660-1665

Brass anchor escape wheel from long-case clock made by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, London, 1660-1665..

Seiko 'Kinetic Auto Relay' Wrist Watch, 2000

Time Measurement

2000

Seiko 'Kinetic Auto Relay' wrist watch, quartz watch with analogue display, powered by electricity generated by the movement of the wrist. Model SMA025, made in Japan, 2000.

Clock dial marked 'Potter, Railway Time', 1840-1880

Time Measurement

1840-1880

Clock dial marked "Potter, Railway Time" with two hands, unknown maker, British, 1840-1880

"Ingersoll" wrist watch

Time Measurement

1915

"Ingersoll" wrist watch with leather strap, pin pallet escapement and luminous hour hand, 1915

Lantern clock with verge escapement and rach and s

Time Measurement

Lantern clock with verge escapement and rach and snail escapement (bob pendulum missing); hours on dial divided into quarters; going and striking trains; one hand

Sand-glass

Time Measurement

Single sand-glass in four pillared wooden mount. 55 seconds. Horne Type B. Second half of the 18th century. ?Ship's log glass. (B3244)

Column dial by Henry Robert, Horloger, au Palais R

Time Measurement

1831-1870

Column dial by Henry Robert, Horloger, au Palais Royal, paper on wood, early 19th century

Magnetic sundial

Time Measurement

1751-1850

Horizontal magnetic sundial in wooden case. ? German, c.1800. (B3273)

Model of a Television Set Tammeter, 1955-1965

Time Measurement

1955-1965

Small external model of a TV set with Tammeter mounted above, made by Television Audience Management Limited, London, England, 1955-1965

Pair-cased pocket watch

Time Measurement

1705-1737

Pair-cased pocket watch in pinchbeck and leather outer casing with verge escapement, made by Will Kipling, London, 1705-1737. Movement inscribed 'Will Kipling no.483'. The movement consists of silver pillars (jewelled endstone removed).

Sand-glass

Time Measurement

Single sand-glass in four pillared wooden mount. Horne Type B. Second half of the 18th century. (B3243)

Sand-glass

Time Measurement

Single sand-glass in five pillared wooden mount. 69 minutes. Horne Type B. Second half of the 18th century. (B3184)

Casio gents LCD digital watch, black resin case an

Time Measurement

1999

Casio gents LCD digital watch, black resin case and strap, in packaging, model F-91W, with alarm, stopwatch, 7-year battery life. 1999.

Cylinder watch in silver pair case by Ellicott, Lo

Time Measurement

Cylinder watch in silver pair case by Ellicott, London, no.7778, hall marked 1773

Verge watch in silver inner case, shagreen outer c

Time Measurement

Verge watch in silver inner case, shagreen outer case by Jas Shearwood, London, no.3028, silver dial, calendar. Hall marked 1759 (damaged)

Two-thirds scale copy of the Hampton court astronomical clock dials, with epicyclic gearing unit, outer fixed chapter ring and rotating astronomical dial

Time Measurement

Two-thirds scale copy of the Hampton court astronomical clock dials, with epicyclic gearing unit, outer fixed chapter ring and rotating astronomical dial. (With synchronous driving motor, gear-box and clutch unit supplied through Ministry of Public Building and Works)

Horizontal sundial in bronze

Time Measurement

1551

Horizontal sundial, by assumed to have been made by Thomas Gemini, 1551, with initials W.B. which possibly refers to William Buckley.

Chronometer in Gold Case by Thomas Earnsham, 1795-1810

Time Measurement

1795-1810

Gold-cased Chronometer watch no.728 made by Thomas Earnshaw, 1795-1810