Precision Pendulum Clocks. (Volume I)
The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping.

English Precision Pendulum Clocks (Volume II)

And Precision Pendulum Clocks. (Volume Ill)
France, Germany, America & Recent Advancements.

We have, for 25 - 30 years, been collecting material on this fascinating subject which is at the very heart of horology. As far as we are aware only one other book concerning it has been published (about 20 years ago), ‘Prazisionspendeluhren’ by Erbrich. In addition, in 1986, we produced an exhibition catalogue of some 125 pages.

One of the difficulties in writing such a book is the breadth of the subject and the weight of the research involved over the centuries which has meant that, try as we might, we could not reduce the book to less than three volumes. It was also felt that it was essential to document and, in particular, photograph as much of the work of some of the more important makers as fully as possible and thus much new and, in many cases detailed photography was undertaken of the work of makers such as Harrison. Virtually all his Precision Clocks, including the Turret Clock at Brocklesby, having been re-photographed in more detail than has previously been the case.

We are pleased to announce that volumes 1 and 2 are out now and volume 3 should be out by July this  year. Further details of this will be advised closer to the time of publication.

Volume 1 runs to 224 pages with around 300 illustrations, mostly in colour with many having been taken especially for the book and never having been seen before.

Whereas on previous occasions Derek Roberts has written the entire text, in this instance various other experts have been brought in to cover specialised areas. Thus, in Volume I, Jonathan Betts of The National Maritime Museum has written chapter one, which sets the scene; escapements are covered by John Martin; electric clocks by Denys Vaughan and pendulum clock precision by Andrew Stewart.

In Volume II Jonathan Betts has written about Thomas Earnshaw, a maker he has a particular interest in and in Volume III we have reproduced the late Professor E.T.Hall’s article on ‘The Littlemore Clock’; Dr Feinstein has allowed us to include his article on Fedchenko and Philip Woodward, in the final chapter, has summarised the current status of the Precision Pendulum Clock.

The contents of Precision Pendulum Clocks. (Volume I)
The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping :-

Chapter 1: Finding and Keeping Time: From Stars to Pendulum - BY J.BETTS.

Chapter 2: The Birth of Accurate Timekeeping: The Royal Observatory - BY D.ROBERTS.

Chapter 3: Solar, Mean Solar and the Equation of Time, Sidereal, Local and Greenwich Mean Time - BY D.ROBERTS.

Chapter 4: Factors Affecting the Isochronicity of a Pendulum - BY D.ROBERTS

Chapter 5: Compensated Pendulums - BY D.ROBERTS.

Chapter 6: Escapements - BY J.MARTIN.

Chapter 7: Electric Clocks - BY D.VAUGHAN.

Chapter 8: Pendulum Clock Precision 1750 - 1960 - BY A.D.STEWART.

Chapter 9: Thomas Tompion and George Graham - BY D.ROBERTS

Chapter10: John Harrison - BY D.ROBERTS

Glossary of terms.

Index.

English Precision Pendulum Clocks (Volume II)

This volume covers not just the leading English regulator makers of the 18^th century such as Shelton, Ellicott, Arnold, Cumming, Earnshaw and the Vulliamys, who built on and refined their predecessors’ designs, it also covers the whole of the 19^th century including makers such as Reid and Hardy, who devised successful spring pallet escapements, and the products of other eminent makers such as Molyneux, Frodsham and Dent. Lesser known clockmakers, particularly those who produced innovative designs, are also included, for instance, Ferguson, Martin, Ward, Bannister and Congreve.

The book concludes by discussing the regulators produced in relatively large numbers during the 19^th century which were to become a part of our everyday lives, aiding and abetting the Industrial Revolution, controlling the times of trains and being used in jewellers’ shops and clockmakers’ workshops throughout the Kingdom to regulate the clocks and watches which the country and indeed the world, had come to rely upon.

Not only are the technical advances in precision pendulum clocks documented, but also the evolution of the cases in which they were housed, from the early Georgian style, usually with square dial, to the classic Victorian dome topped regulators.

Volume 2 runs to 296 pages with around 755 illustrations.

Precision Pendulum Clocks. (Volume Ill)
France, Germany, America & Recent Advancements.

This will include the research carried out and regulators made in France, Germany and America as well as recent advances in accurate timekeeping virtually up to the present day.

When considering France the work of such makers as Ferdinand and Louis Berthoud, the Lepautes, Robert Robin, Janvier, Lepine, LeRoy and Leroy, Bourdier and Jarossay will be discussed, together with a more general coverage of French longcase, table and wall regulators.

So far as Germany is concerned the primary emphasis will be on Riefler and Strasser and Rohde but the work of other makers will also be considered.

This will be the first time that America’s contribution to Precision Timekeeping has been covered, with the aid of Donald Saff.

Finally we will conclude by discussing recent advances in Precision Pendulum clocks, such as the development of Fedchenko’s isochronous suspension which resulted in the production in Russia of some of the most accurate pendulum clocks the world has seen.

It might have been though that, as Philip Woodward says; when there was no possibility of the pendulum ever being used again as a time standard, that production would cease, but this has not proved to be the case: as he concludes, it has become akin to a quest such as climbing a mountain, which still fascinates horologists, engineers and scientists. Examples included here are W5, created by Philip Woodward and the Littlemore clock of Professor Hall, almost certainly so far the most accurate pendulum clock the world has known.

Over 500 beautiful colour and black and white photographs illustrate the horological contributions of these eminent clockmakers.

The contents of Precision Pendulum Clocks. (Volume Ill)
France, Germany, America & Recent Advancements :-

PART 1. FRANCE.

Introduction.

Chapter 1: Ferdinand and Louis Berthoud.

Chapter 2: The Lepaute Family.

Chapter 3: Robert Robin 1742-99.

Chapter 4: Antide Janvier 1751-1835.

Chapter 5: Abraham Louis Breguet.

Chapter 6: Jean Antoine Lépine; Le Roy and Leroy, Bourdier, Jacob & Jarossay.

Chapter 7: Longcase Regulators.

Chapter 8: Table and Wall Regulators.

Chapter 9: Louis Leroy Et C^ie, Paris..

PART 2. GERMANY.

Introduction.

Chapter 10: Riefler.

Chapter 11: Strasser & Rohde.

Chapter 12: Other German Makers.

Chapter 13: American Precision Pendulum Clocks by D. Saff.

PART 3. THE 20th CENTURY

Introduction.

Chapter 14: F.M. Fedchenko and his pendulum astronomical clocks by Dr. G. Feinstein (NY).

Chapter 15: The Littlemore Clock by Prof. E.T. Hall, Oxford (Edited by Philip Woodward, D.Sc.).

Chapter 16: The Continuing Pursuit of Perfection by Philip Woodward, D.Sc.

The price of Volume I is £59.95 + p&p.
The price of Volume 2 is £79.95 + p&p Our American and Canadian customers should order the volumes direct from booksellers in the U.S.A. or Schiffer Publishing.

Anyone who would like to order a copy of these books may do so now or they may prefer to view it first in our showrooms in Tonbridge.

To view other books by Derek Roberts Click here.