Clockmaker

Woodcut of medieval clockmakers, 1568.

The statue of the clockmaker (Jean Cuypers - 19th century) - Brussels.

A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches. Clockmakers must be able to read blueprints and instructions for numerous types of clocks and time pieces that vary from antique clocks to modern time pieces in order to fix and make clocks or watches. The trade requires fine motor coordination as clockmakers must frequently work on devices with small gears and fine machinery.

Originally, clockmakers were master craftsmen who designed and built clocks by hand. Since modern clockmakers are required to repair antique, handmade or one-of-a-kind clocks for which parts are not available, they must have some of the design and fabrication abilities of the original craftsmen. A qualified clockmaker can typically design and make a missing piece for a clock without access to the original component.

Clockmakers generally do not work on watches; the skills and tools required are different enough that watchmaking is a separate field, handled by another specialist, the watchmaker.

Origins and specialities

The earliest use of the term clokkemaker is said to date from 1390, about a century after the first mechanical clocks appeared.^[1] From the beginning in the 15th century through the 17th century clockmaking was considered the "leading edge", most technically advanced trade existing. Historically, the best clockmakers often also built scientific instruments, as for a long time they were the only craftsmen around trained in designing precision mechanical apparatus. In one example, the harmonica was invented by a young German clockmaker, which was then mass produced by another clockmaker, Matthias Hohner.

Prior to 1800 clocks were entirely handmade, including all their parts, in a single shop under a master clockmaker. By the 19th century, clock parts were beginning to be made in small factories, but the skilled work of designing, assembling, and adjusting the clock was still done by clockmaking shops. By the 20th century, interchangeable parts and standardized designs allowed the entire clock to be assembled in factories, and clockmakers specialized in repair.

Galileo Galilei drew the first designs for a grandfather clock after making the discovery that time could be told using a pendulum. He based this design on the verge-and-foliot control mechanism first invented around 1285 and is credited for the first formal construction of a clock. In 1602, he began investigating the idea of the time it takes a pendulum to swing back and forth in relation to the isochronism or arc of the swing. Twenty one years earlier, Galileo had been studying at the University of Pisa and developed the pendulum and the concept of time began after encountering a suspended lamp swing back and forth in the Cathedral of Pisa.^{[citation needed]} Galileo went on to detail the effect of isochronism in a letter to a friend. Soon after, friend and Venetian physician, Santorio Santorio began using a pulsilogium, or short pendulum, to measure the pulse of his patients. After the utilization of various pendulums, the process of clock making became generalized.

Guilds

As the art of making clocks became more widespread and distinguished the start of guilds specifically for this trade emerged around the sixteenth century. One of the first guilds to develop for clock making was known as the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers; the group formed after a small number of foreign-trained clockmakers spent time working in London. A requirement of join the guild was to practice their craft and gain as much experience as possible, along with joining one of many other trade guilds, such as the Blacksmiths, Stationers, or Drapers Company. During the early seventeenth century, the demand for clocks and watches grew and the Golden Age of Clockmaking surfaced.^{[citation needed]}

Tools

Throughout history, clock makers have used many instruments in building their clocks. While the tools were useful in assisting the clockmaker, they were inefficient and unreliable. Beginning in the nineteeth century, new tools were developed. Although steel was the primary resource in the construction of most of the tools made during this time, wood and iron also began being utilized.

• Balance Truing Caliper: A steel device was constructed by E.F.B. & Company. The device aided clock makers in stabilizing a balance wheel. During the utilization of this tool, the pivots of the wheel were positioned into small impressions in the arms of the caliper. The index was then shifted toward the edge of the balance wheel; after this process, the wheel was spun to see if it was sturdy enough to be manufactured.
• Die/Screw Plate: The die plate was used to cut threads on small screws. Threads are split on a piece of wire as it is alternated through the holes that form the screw.
• File: A steel mechanism was used to shape and varnish the metal before it was used to make and fit wheels or plates. There were many variations of files.
• Rivet Extracting Pliers: Made of brass or steel, rivet extracting pliers were used to remove attachments from assorted clock parts.
• Jeweler’s Piercing Saw: The blade of the saw was isolated by releasing the thumbscrew adjacent to the handle. After isolation, a hole was drilled and the blade was replaced for the cut to be made. This device was popular among clock makers to repair the ends of clock hands.
• Staking tool: An iron vertical plunger was used with an array of stakes for placing rollers and balanced wheels on staffs.
• Turns: Turns were used for furbishing parts and for lacerating gear blanks to size. During the process of utilization, turns were clamped in a vice and the worker held a cutting or polishing tool on a tee shaped tool rest with one hand, and shifted the bow back and forth with the other to pivot the work.
• Cross Peen Riveting Hammer: The flat end of the tool was for general use, whereas the carved peen end was used for dispersing rivet heads. This tool was used for forging, riveting, striking steel, etc.

Modern Education

The craft of making clocks began around the Babylonian times and remains a clockmaker is still a common profession. In the past, becoming a clockmaker involved attending a clock making or watchmaking school. Some countries, like Denmark, require apprenticeship with a master clock or watch maker, which can last up to four years. After attending a clock or watch making school and obtaining an apprenticeship, a written test and bench exam may be required to gain certification.

There are many schools around the world dedicated to teaching people how to make and repair clocks.

• Australia, VIC, Australian Watchmaking School, Ringwood
• Belgium, Technicum Noord-Antwerpen, Antwerp
• Canada, Ecole National D'Horlogerie, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
• Denmark, Den Danske Urmagerskole, Ringsted
• Finland, The Finnish School of Watchmaking, Espoo
• Germany, Flüthe Uhrseminaren, Telgte
• Germany, Hessische Uhrmacherschule, Hessenpark
• Germany, Mecanicus, Ohmden, seminars for collectors and enthusiasts
• Ireland, Irish/Swiss Institute of Horology, Dublin email [e-mail]
• Netherlands, De Vakschool, Schoonhoven
• Spain, Institut Politecnic de Formació Professional Mare de Déu de la Mercè, Barcelona 093 223 25 66
• Switzerland, CFPT - Ecole d'horlogerie
• Switzerland, CIFOM - Centre intercommunal de formation des Montagnes neuchâteloises
• Switzerland, Ecole Technique de la Vallee de Joux, Le Sentier
• Switzerland, Watchmakers of Switzerland Tech. & Ed. Program (WOSTEP), Neuchatel
• UK, Birmingham City University, BHI Certificates and HND in Horology
• UK, British Horological Institute Seminars & Distance Learning Course
• UK, Quality Time Clock Courses, Near Pulborough, West Sussex
• UK, West Dean College, Chichester, West Sussex, Antique Clock Conservation & Restoration
• USA, AWCI Bench Courses
• USA, AWCI Continuing Education
• USA, Bishop State Community College, Mobile, AL
• USA, Career Preparation Center Horology Department, Sterling Heights, MI
• USA, Gem City College School of Horology , Quincy, IL
• USA, Jones County Jr. College Horology Department, Ellisville, MS
• USA, Lititz Watch Technicum, Lititz, PA
• USA, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, WI
• USA, NAWCC Field Suitcase Workshops
• USA, NAWCC School of Horology, Columbia, PA
• USA, NorWest Voc’Tec, Seattle, WA, a school teaching both watch and clock repair for students at all levels
• USA, Oklahoma St. University Watchmaking & Microtechnology, Okmulgee, OK
• USA, Paris Junior College Horology Department, Paris, TX
• USA, Saint Paul College Micro Mechanical Technology/Watchmaking, St. Paul, MN
• USA, York Time Institute, York, PA

Other uses

Clockmaker is also the name of several movies.^[2]

Deists often call God the "Clockmaker". The Temple of the Great Clockmaker, in the novel The Case Of The Dead Certainty by Kel Richards, is a temple which represents deism. There is a religious theory called the Clock Maker Theory.

During the 1800s and 1900s, clocks or watches were carried around as a form of flaunting social status. They were also a way of instilling a sense of time regulation for work in the budding industrial market.

In 2004, Jim Krueger wrote a comic book entitled The Clock Maker, published by German publisher Image Publishing, that focuses on the life of a clock maker.

Art-

Artist Tony Troy creates the Illustration titled "The Clockmaker" in 2003 for his Broadway musical "The Fluteplayer's Song" http://www.tonytroyillustrations.com/catalog/i2.html

Notable clockmakers

• John Arnold, United Kingdom
• Johann Baptist Beha, Germany
• Ferdinand Berthoud, France & Switzerland
• Abraham Louis Breguet, France & Switzerland
• Martin Burgess, United Kingdom
• Joost Bürgi, Switzerland
• Konstantin Chaykin, Russia
• William Clement, United Kingdom
• Samuel Coster, Netherlands
• Aaron Lufkin Dennison, United Kingdom
• Giovanni de Dondi, Italy
• Richard Donisthorp, United Kingdom
• Hans Düringer, Germany
• John Ellicott, United Kingdom
• George Graham, United Kingdom
• John Harrison, United Kingdom
• Peter Henlein, Germany
• Christiaan Huygens, Netherlands
• Antide Janvier, France
• Mikulas of Kadan
• Franz Ketterer, Germany
• Joseph Knibb, United Kingdom
• Jean-Antoine Lépine, France
• David Rittenhouse, USA
• Pierre LeRoy, France
• Jens Olsen, Denmark
• Rasmus Sørnes, Norway
• Adolf Scheibe and Udo Adelsberger, Germany
• Eli Terry, USA
• Thomas Tompion, United Kingdom
• Thwaites & Reed, United Kingdom
• Sigmund Riefler, Germany
• Benjamin Vulliamy, United Kingdom
• Richard of Wallingford, United Kingdom
• Simon Willard, USA
• Su Song, China

Clockmaking organizations

• AWCI
• Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH
• British Horological Institute
• Worshipful Company of Clockmakers

See also

• Clockkeeper
• Marine chronometer
• Chronometer watch
• List of clock manufacturers
• horology
• watchmaker

References

1. ^ "Clock". Encyclopedia of Antiques. Old and Sold Antique Marketplace. http://www.oldandsold.com/articles02/clocks-c.shtml. Retrieved 2008-04-20. 
2. ^ [1]

• http://www.metc.org/clktools.htm
• http://www.antiquesandfineart.com/articles/article.cfm?request=437
• http://www.scifidimensions.com/Sep04/clockmaker.htm
• http://www.nawcc-index.net/Schools.php
• http://galileo.rice.edu/sci/instruments/pendulum.html
• http://www.peg-gear-clock.com/wooden-gear-pendulum-clocks.html

External links

• Famous watchmakers
• American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute
• The British Horological Institute