The 18th Century, the Century of the Great Watchmakers (Part 3)
By: Sílvio Pereira
Continuing the series of articles devoted to the history of watchmaking in the 18th century, the century of the great watchmakers, in this third part we explore the contribution that John Harrison, and his disciples, made to rendering sea voyages more accurate and safer through his H1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The problem of measuring longitude was a constant challenge for the governments and those responsible for maritime navigation at the time, prompting the lavish prizes awarded to anyone who could determine it as accurately as possible, and here the great pioneer was indeed John Harrison.
Benjamin Vulliamy 1747-1811
From an early age, Benjamin Vulliamy showed an interest in following in his father's footsteps in the clockmaking trade. As an adult, he began to gain recognition as a skilled maker of mantel clocks and decorative pieces that adorned the drawing rooms of the high society of the day (some pieces can currently be found at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery). His exceptional talent led to his appointment as royal clockmaker in 1773, receiving a generous annual grant of 150 pounds from King George III (there was a similar distinction, Royal Clockmaker, then held by George Lindsay).
King George III, an enthusiast of clocks and mechanical devices, became the patron of Justin Vulliamy, valuing his work and talent. However, it is important to mention that the honour of receiving the royal appointment and the annual grant was granted exclusively to Benjamin Vulliamy.
Around 1780, Benjamin entered the partnership “Vulliamy & Son”.
In December 1790, he bought part of the shares of Larcum Kendall, which were auctioned after the latter's death. Benjamin and his son worked together until Justin's death on 01/12/1797. During that time, they signed their work simply as “Vulliamy”.
Around 1780, the Vulliamy family was commissioned to build the Regulator Clock, known as the principal timekeeper of the King's Observatory Kew. This clock served as the Prime Meridian and was responsible for the official time of London until 1884, when the Greenwich Royal Observatory took over these functions.
After Justin's death, Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy took over the business in 1801.
Justin & Benjamin Vulliamy, London, Code: sus, 1785
This is a truly sophisticated watch, with a gilt brass cylinder movement (diameter 46mm), bringing a touch of luxury to the design. The meticulously designed brass escape wheel with 15 teeth contributes to exceptional precision, being known for its efficiency and reliability.
Every detail is a masterpiece of watchmaking engineering, with jewels carefully integrated into the balance and escapement system. These precious jewels are responsible for minimising friction and wear on the moving parts, improving precision and extending the working life of the watch.
The pillars were designed as an elegant baluster, giving a refined and imposing look. The balance, made of high-quality steel, sustains a stable and precise oscillation, raising performance to a higher level. In addition, the spiral balance spring ensures a smooth and even action.
The dial, classic and timeless, is carefully enamelled for an impeccable finish. This enamelled surface not only adds a touch of elegance but also provides durability and resistance, maintaining perfect legibility over the years.
The Longitude Problem, the development of the Chronometer
Measuring longitude became a critical challenge when people began to travel on transoceanic routes.
Determining latitude was relatively easy, as it could be found from the altitude of the sun at noon, using tables that gave the solar declination for the day in question. However, determining longitude was a complex problem that required imprecise methods, such as calculation by “dead reckoning”[1], especially on long voyages far from the coast. Unfortunately, these voyages frequently ended in tragedy. It was of the utmost importance to find a suitable solution for determining longitude with greater accuracy.
Gemma Frisius
To determine longitude during a sea voyage, various ideas were put forward over time. Earlier methods sought to compare the local time with the known time at a given point, such as Greenwich or Paris, based on a simple theory introduced by Gemma Frisius (1508–1555, Dutch mathematician). These methods relied on astronomical observations based on the predictable nature of the motion of different celestial bodies. However, they presented challenges owing to the difficulty of accurately estimating the time at the given location.
The Longitude Prize was a reward of 20,000 pounds offered by the British government as an incentive for the development of an accurate and practical method of determining a ship's longitude.
After the Scilly naval disaster of 1707, which resulted in the loss of almost 2,000 sailors, the question of determining longitude once again received attention.
The prize was established by an Act of Parliament (the Longitude Act) in July 1714 and its administration was entrusted to the Board of Longitude (as per the document above).
It is important to note that the Longitude Prize was not the first of its kind to be offered. In the past, King Philip II of Spain had offered a prize in 1567, while King Philip III offered 6,000 ducats and a pension in 1598. In addition, the States General of Holland offered 10,000 florins. However, despite these generous prizes, no satisfactory method of determining longitude had been discovered until then. Even so, some people received smaller rewards to continue their research in this field.
John Harrison decided to take on the challenge of determining longitude by developing a reliable clock capable of keeping the time of a specific place. He faced difficulties in trying to create a clock that would not be affected by variations in temperature, pressure or humidity, that would remain accurate over long periods, resist the corrosion caused by salt air and be able to work effectively aboard a ship in constant motion. Many scientists, including Isaac Newton and Christiaan Huygens, expressed doubts about the possibility of building such a clock and favoured other methods, such as the use of lunar distances, to calculate longitude. Huygens carried out tests using a pendulum and a spiral-spring clock as methods of determining longitude, but both produced inconsistent results.
Newton stated that:
“A good watch may serve to keep a reckoning at sea for some days and to know the time of a celestial observation; and for this end a good jewel watch may suffice till a better sort of watch can be found out. But when the longitude at sea is once lost, it cannot be found again by any watch”.
John Harrison 3. 4. 1693 – 24. 3. 1776
John Harrison was born in Foulby, in West Yorkshire. His father worked as a carpenter on a nearby estate, at Nostell Priory.
Around 1700, the Harrison family moved to the village of Barrow upon Humber, in Lincolnshire.
Following in his father's footsteps, Harrison also became a carpenter and, in his spare time, built and repaired clocks. It is said that at the age of six, while recovering from smallpox, he was given a watch as a present and spent hours listening to it and studying its moving parts.
It was only at the age of twenty, in 1713, that Harrison built his first longcase clock. The movement was made entirely of wood, a natural choice of material with which he was familiar.
Wooden clock by J. Harrison, 1715, Science Museum, London
Three of Harrison's early wooden clocks have survived to this day. The first, made in 1713, is currently in the collection of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers at the Guildhall. The second, produced in 1715, can be found at the Science Museum. The third, built in 1717, is located at Nostell Priory in Yorkshire and bears the inscription “John Harrison, Barrow” on the dial.
In the early 1720s, Harrison was commissioned to make a new turret clock at Brocklesby Park, North Lincolnshire. Remarkably, this clock still works to this day. Like the earlier clocks, its movement is made of oak and lignum vitae (meaning “wood of life”, a hard, dense wood), an extremely robust wood.
During the period between 1725 and 1728, John Harrison and his brother James, who was also a skilled joiner, built at least three precision longcase clocks. These clocks also had movements and tall cases made of oak and lignum vitae.
During this period, Harrison developed the “gridiron” pendulum[2]. These precision clocks are considered by some to have been the most accurate in the world at the time, surpassing even the famous H4 for which Harrison became known.
Harrison was a man endowed with many talents, and he used these talents systematically to improve the performance of pendulum clocks.
A brilliant example of his inventive genius was the development of the “grasshopper escapement”, a control device that allowed the motive force of a clock to be released gradually. This escapement was an evolution of the anchor escapement, although it had a unique feature: it had almost no friction, which eliminated the need for lubrication, since the pallets were made of lignum vitae.
This innovation was particularly significant at the time, as lubricants and the way they degraded gave rise to complaints. Therefore, the fact that the grasshopper escapement required no lubrication was an important advantage.
In 1730, John Harrison designed a marine clock to compete for the “Longitude Prize” and travelled to London in search of financial support. He presented his ideas to Edmond Halley (remembered for calculating the orbit of a periodic comet, now known as Halley's comet), the Astronomer Royal, who referred him to George Graham. Graham must have been impressed by Harrison's ideas, as he lent him money to build a model of his “sea clock”.
Harrison's clock was an attempt to create a marine version of the wooden pendulum clocks, which were highly accurate. To this end, he used wooden wheels, pinions[3] and a version of the grasshopper escapement. Instead of a pendulum, he used two dumbbell balances[4] linked together.
Harrison took five years to build the first marine timekeeper, known as the Sea Clock, or H1. He presented it to members of the Royal Society who, on his behalf, presented it to the Board of Longitude. The clock was the first proposal the Board considered worthy of being tested at sea.
In 1736, Harrison sailed to Lisbon aboard HMS Centurion and returned on HMS Orford. On the return voyage, both the captain and the sailing master of the Orford praised the design. The commander observed that his own calculations had placed the ship sixty miles east of its true destination, whereas Harrison, using H1, had correctly predicted the location.
Although this was not the transatlantic voyage required by the Board of Longitude, they were impressed enough to grant Harrison 500 pounds to continue its development.
Harrison went on to work on H2, a more compact and robust version. After three years of construction and two of testing on land, H2 was completed in 1741. However, by then Great Britain was at war with Spain in the War of the Austrian Succession, and the mechanism was considered so important that it could not risk falling into Spanish hands.
In any case, Harrison suddenly abandoned all work on this second machine when he discovered a serious design flaw in the concept of the bar balances[5]
Harrison had not realised that the action of the air from the ship's motion could affect the period of oscillation of the bar balances. This understanding led him to adopt circular balances in the third marine timekeeper, H3.
In recognition of his contribution, he received a further 500 pounds from the Board.
While waiting for the war to end, he began work on H3.
Harrison devoted 17 years to the development of this third marine timekeeper but, despite all his efforts, did not achieve the desired result. Nevertheless, in this machine he left two lasting legacies to the world: the bimetallic strip and the caged ball bearing[6].
The failure of sea clocks 1, 2 and 3 was mainly due to the fact that the balances, although large, did not vibrate quickly enough to provide the stability needed for accurate timekeeping.
Around 1750, Harrison came to this conclusion and abandoned the idea of the “sea clock” as a timekeeper. He realised that a timekeeper the size of a pocket watch would be more successful, as it could incorporate a smaller balance oscillating at a much higher speed. A pocket watch would also be more practical, meeting the requirements laid down by the Longitude Act of 1714.
After thirty years of extensive research, Harrison decided to move to London. To his surprise, he discovered that some of the watches produced by Thomas Mudge, Graham's successor, were capable of measuring time as accurately as his enormous sea clocks. This had become possible thanks to the availability of the new “Huntsman” or “Crucible” steel, produced by Benjamin Huntsman in the early 1740s. This advance allowed the production of stronger pinions and, more importantly, a highly polished cylinder escapement of harder steel.
Harrison realised that a pocket watch could be sufficiently accurate for the task and represented a far more practical option as a marine timekeeper. He decided to redesign the concept of the watch as a timekeeping device, based on sound scientific principles.
All the watches signed by John Harrison are currently in public collections.
His son William also made two watches that have survived: one of them is part of a public collection, while the other belongs to a private British collection.
During his lifetime, Harrison received several grants, totalling 23,000 pounds, to continue his research into the perfect timekeeper and in the hope of winning the Longitude Prize. However, although he made significant contributions to marine timekeeping, Harrison never officially received that prize.
The 'Jefferys' watch
In 1752-53, Harrison designed a high-precision seconds watch for his personal use and commissioned the London watchmaker John Jefferys to make it. This innovative watch incorporated several important features. First, it introduced a new frictional rest escapement[7], which allowed smoother and more precise running. In addition, it was the first watch to have a mechanism compensating for variations in temperature.
Harrison's watch also had a remarkable feature: the first fusée he designed, which allowed it to keep running while it was being wound. These improvements resulted in an extremely successful performance from the watch made by Jefferys. Impressed by these results, Harrison decided to incorporate these features into the two new timekeepers he planned to build (H4 and the “smaller watch”).
The timekeepers comprised a large watch and a smaller one, but both shared a similar pattern. John Jefferys and his apprentice Larcum Kendall were responsible for their construction, which turned out to be groundbreaking for Harrison.
Over decades, he had invested considerable sums of money, granted by Parliament, in the attempt to develop an accurate shipboard timekeeper. However, traditional clocks were large and ill-suited to the motion on board, which could impair their internal performance.
Using improved techniques, Jefferys drastically reduced the temperature-compensation and friction mechanisms. Furthermore, by means of refined techniques, such as the use of jewelled bearings[8], he managed to place all the gearing within a single compartment. These innovations resulted in the creation of the first pocket watches with all the gearing mounted in jewelled bearings.
At the end of the 19th century, a dealer tried to sell Harrison's personal pocket watch to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. Although they had a genuine interest in the watch, its value was above all sentimental, as recounted by Sir George White, curator of the collections of the Clockmakers' Museum. However, because of the very high price, they decided that acquiring it was not viable. And so the watch ended up in the hands of Mr Rust, a jeweller whose shop in London was bombed by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.
The result of the bombing was devastating for Mr Rust's shop. The safe holding Harrison's watch fell several floors and was exposed to a fierce fire. Remarkably, the watch survived this ordeal, although it suffered significant damage. The white enamel dial was completely charred, and the metal gears were warped by the heat, making it impossible for it to run. Given the sorry state it was in, it passed into the custody of the Clockmakers' Museum, which received it with astonishment. Sir White commented that it was a true miracle that Mr Rust had not neglected the watch, as no one expected it to have any value.
However, Harrison's watch had immeasurable historical value. Practically all the challenges relating to marine chronometers had been overcome. Building on this innovation, Harrison developed a prototype, H4, which was considerably smaller than the previous versions, thanks to his encounter with Jefferys. Moreover, the Jefferys watch was the first to feature a temperature-compensation system, recognised as a fundamental milestone in the evolution of precision watches.
John Harrison, London, 'H4', No. 1, 1759
Assisted by some of the finest watchmakers in London, John Harrison began the design and manufacture of the world's first successful marine chronometer. This chronometer allowed navigators to determine the position of ships in terms of longitude accurately. The enormous watch (13.3 cm in diameter and 1.5 kg) has a new type of escapement called “vertical” (it is called vertical because the escapement arbor is perpendicular to the plane of motion of the pendulum or spring), which is sometimes wrongly associated with the “verge” escapement, which it superficially resembles. However, the frictional rest escapement allowed the balance a wide arc of oscillation. By comparison, the anchor escapement had a limited balance arc and was sensitive to variations in driving torque.
The pivot bearings of Harrison's escapement were made of diamond, which was a great innovation for the time. For technical reasons, the balance was much larger than that of a conventional watch, and the vibrations were controlled by a flat steel spiral spring. The movement also had a centre seconds hand with a sweep motion[9]. The third wheel had internal teeth and an elaborate bridge similar to pierced and engraved bridges. This wheel turned at 5 beats per second and was fitted with a tiny “remontoire”[10].
A balance brake stopped the watch half an hour before it would have run down completely, so that the remontoire would not stop. Temperature compensation was achieved by means of a “compensation curb” (or “Thermometer Kirb”, as Harrison called it). It was a bimetallic strip mounted on the regulating slide, which carried curb pins at its free end. During the initial trials, Harrison dispensed with this regulation using the slide control, but left the indicator piece in place.
The watch was also fitted with a system known as “Harrison's maintaining power”, which consisted of a brass lever engaging a ratchet[11] at the base of the fusée, allowing the watch to be wound while it was still running.
Harrison showed everyone that a watch could be used to calculate longitude. This would be Harrison's masterpiece, resembling an enormous pocket watch of the period.
It is engraved with Harrison's signature, marked with the number “1” and dated “AD 1759”.
John & William Harrison, London, 'H5', No. 2, 1770
John & William Harrison, 'H5', London 1770, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Harrison began work on the second “Sea watch”, H5, while Kendall made good progress on the replica of H4.
The Board of Longitude was asked to consider H5 and K1 as two copies of H4, but it informed John and William, in no uncertain terms, that the copies of H4 had to be made by the Harrisons.
After three years, Harrison was exhausted and felt extremely ill-treated by the parliamentarians from whom he had expected better treatment. He decided to seek help from King George III. Harrison obtained an audience with the king, who was extremely annoyed with Parliament. The king himself tested watch No. 2 at his own observatory and, after ten weeks of daily observations between May and July 1772, found that its accuracy was within a third of a second per day. The king advised Harrison to petition Parliament for the full prize, threatening to appear in person to admonish them.
Finally, in 1773, at the age of 80, he received an award of 8,750 pounds from Parliament for his achievements, although he never received the official prize, which was never awarded to anyone.
Harrison survived only three more years.
John Jefferys 1701 – 1754
Jefferys, whose parents, John and Jane, were wool merchants, lived in a house called Darbies, in the village of Midgham, in the parish of Thatcham, in Berkshire. He grew up in a large family, with at least five brothers and one sister. Although his father was a Quaker, he was baptised on 18 March 1701.
On 4 November 1717, he was apprenticed to the clockmaker Edward Jagger in Well Close Square, Stepney, London. After nine years of meticulous apprenticeship, Jefferys received well-deserved recognition when he became a member of the Clockmakers' Company of London on 26 January 1726. His dedication and excellence in the craft were evident and, in 1735, he decided to take on Larcum Kendall as an apprentice.
Interestingly, in 1739, a young cousin of Jefferys, Buttons, only 14 years old, also had the honour of becoming the master watchmaker's apprentice. His father, Richard, generously paid 40 guineas so that Buttons could embark on this seven-year journey alongside Jefferys.
Around 1753, Jefferys's unrivalled skill was confirmed when he made a magnificent pocket watch for John Harrison. This watch was one of the inspirations for Harrison to concentrate on building a large watch to compete for the Longitude Prize.
Today, the watch is in the care of Trinity House and can be admired at the Clockmakers' Company museum.
Few works by Jefferys are found today, mainly because, as a “repeating movement maker”, he was one of the highly skilled craftsmen making parts for individual watches. He supplied “finishers” and watch retailers. He rarely signed his own creations.
Unfortunately, John Jefferys never had the chance to witness the effects and benefits of his work. After his death, Larcum Kendall took over the business and continued to work both for John Harrison and for the Admiralty, keeping alive the flame of watchmaking mastery that Jefferys had left behind.
John Jefferys, London, No. 48, 1735
The watch shown here is a masterpiece in gilt brass that displays a full-plate verge movement (35 mm in diameter), revealing a remarkable degree of craftsmanship and elegance. The backplate is gracefully signed “Jno Jefferys London” and bears the number 48, distinctive features that attest to its origin as a work conceived in London during the period when Kendall was an apprentice.
Stability and support are ensured by the square baluster pillars which, besides providing a solid base, lend a touch of refinement to the structure. The choice of the verge escapement shows a preference for maximum precision, using a circular escape wheel instead of the cylinder escapement.
Additional details, such as the pierced cock and the sliding plate (unjewelled bearing), denote a special level of care in the regulation and adjustment of the movement, allowing the rate of the watch to be modified to ensure impeccable accuracy.
The steel balance stands out for having a balance mechanism without a spring, giving it a peculiar characteristic. This type of balance provides smooth running and unrivalled precision, worthy of a truly sophisticated watch.
Thus, enhancing the distinctive characteristics of this example, every element blends harmoniously, resulting in a work of art that captivates not only through its aesthetic refinement but also through its ability to measure time with unrivalled excellence.
John Jefferys, London, No. 201, 1745
This is an elegant gilt brass watch, in which we can observe a full-plate verge movement (36.5 mm in diameter), ensuring precise and reliable running.
It has square baluster pillars that add a touch of sophistication.
The pierced and engraved sliding plate reveals unequalled mastery.
The verge escapement improves the precision of the movement.
On the backplate, the engraving of the distinguished signature “John Jefferys London” and the number 201 convey a heritage of tradition and exclusivity to this unique piece.
Jefferys's signature is highly prized, as only six signed watches are known, one of which is John Harrison's famous pocket watch.
Jefferys was a renowned watchmaker and played a crucial role in the collaboration with Harrison.
After his death in 1754, Larcum Kendall, who had been his apprentice, took over his position and continued to contribute to the legacy of technical excellence left by his mentor.
Larcum Kendall 21. 09. 1719 – 22. 11. 1790
Larcum Kendall was born in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, the son of Moses Kendall and Ann Larcum.
Kendall is known for his exceptional work in reproducing the remarkable Longitude Timekeeper, Harrison's H4.
In the 18th century, he was among the most talented watchmakers in London. Curiously, few watches bear his engraved name, not for lack of professional activity, but perhaps as a reflection of modesty or of the conviction that seeking individual recognition was unnecessary. Nevertheless, Kendall was deeply involved in the high-quality watch trade in London.
Kendall was apprenticed for seven years to John Jefferys, the celebrated repeating movement maker. A connection that certainly had a lasting influence on Kendall in what would become the continuation of his craft.
In 1742, Kendall founded his own business, leaving his mark on the watchmaking industry.
Having worked for George Graham for several years, perfecting the technique of the cylinder escapement, also contributed to Kendall's public recognition.
After Graham's death in 1751, there are indications that he went on to contribute his talent to the firm of Thomas Mudge and William Dutton.
It is presumed that Jefferys played a crucial role in the collaboration with Harrison on the production of H4, but recent discoveries have revealed that he died in 1754, before the project began. It is likely that, at that time, Kendall took on the principal role, becoming the talented mind behind the success of H4.
His expertise was so widely recognised that, in 1765, Kendall was appointed one of the practical experts of the Board of Longitude, together with renowned watchmakers such as Rev. William Ludlam, fellow of St. Johns College, Cambridge, Rev. John Mitchell, FRD, Woodwardian Professor of Geology, Thomas Mudge and William Mathews of Fleet Street, as well as John Bird of the Strand, instrument maker.
These masters, alongside the Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne, spent several days closely following the construction of H4, a testament to the importance and magnitude of that undertaking.
What is even more remarkable is that Kendall had the honour of demonstrating the effectiveness of Harrison's designs when he was commissioned to make a replica of H4 in 1766.
Starting in May 1767 and finishing at the end of 1769, this remarkable undertaking witnessed Kendall's brilliance and dexterity as a watchmaker.
The K1 watch, made by the talented Kendall, was acquired by the Board of Longitude in January 1770, for the sum of 450 guineas.
After undergoing trials at Greenwich, it was assigned to Captain James Cook for the second voyage of discovery to the South Seas, which took place in 1772-75.
During that voyage, both Cook and the astronomer William Wales were impressed by the performance of Kendall's watch. So impressed that, on their return in 1775, Cook wrote to the Secretary of the Admiralty, stating: “Mr Kendall's watch has exceeded the expectations of its most zealous advocate...”.
K1, now located in Greenwich, is a remarkable testament to Kendall's talent as a watchmaker. The backplate bears the signature “Larcum Kendall LONDRES” and the date 1766.
Although K1 was an extraordinary success, Kendall chose not to produce any more replicas of the model. Instead, he focused on developing two simplified timekeepers, known as K2 and K3.
The K2 was delivered to the Board of Longitude in March 1772, at a price of 200 guineas. In this version, the dial was signed LARCUM KENDALL LONDON and the backplate was inscribed Larcum Kendall 1771 London.
It had a regulator dial, meaning that the hands were separated by a wheel system with less play than the conventional concentric system. This difference generally increases accuracy.
Later, in 1774, Thomas Mudge used a similar wheel system to separate the hands in his marine chronometer. This timekeeper built by Mudge would be considered the most accurate for the next hundred years. Mudge's last piece is in the British Museum (Reg. No. 1958,1006.2119).
Although K2 does not have the same accuracy as K1, it is famous because it was with William Bligh during the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. After the mutiny, it was taken by Fletcher Christian to Pitcairn Island. In 1808, it was found by an American and later bought on Pitcairn from the last survivor of the mutiny.
K2 only returned to England in 1840.
The K3 was completed in 1774 at a cost of 100 guineas. In this version, it is signed LARCUM KENDALL LONDON and on the backplate the inscription reads Larcum Kendall 1774 London.
The style is very different from K1 and K2: it has three small dials for hours, minutes and seconds and is housed in an octagonal wooden box.
In 1776, K3 was aboard HMS Discovery with the astronomer William Bayly.
Today, both K1 and K3 are preserved at the Royal Observatory museum in Greenwich.
Kendall also produced a pocket chronometer, which is now in the Museum of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, Guildhall in London. It is signed on the backplate L. Kendall London B+y and is housed in a silver pair case hallmarked in 1786. Inside the case are watch papers printed with the name Vulliamy & Sons, 74 Pall Mall, London. This watch was presented to the Clockmakers' Company in 1849 by BL Vulliamy. It is thought that his father Benjamin Vulliamy bought the chronometer when he acquired Larcum Kendall's workshop in December 1790.
The sale of the workshop took place at Kendall's premises at No. 6 Furnivals Inn Court on 23 December 1790, conducted by Christie's. During the sale, various tools and clockmaking parts were sold. Of note was the sale of an unusual wheel-cutting engine and a curious foot lathe.
Some notable lots were:
37. A complete chronometer in silver cases, with the same escapement mechanism, sold for 36 guineas.
38. A chronometer with silver cases, complete except for the escapement mechanism, sale price not specified.
39. A gold horizontal seconds watch, with lid and jewels, sold for 30 guineas.
The sale took place in a genuinely fascinating atmosphere, with the participation of renowned master watchmakers and remarkable watches.
An important name at the auction was that of William Bayly, an astronomer who took part in the 1772 to 1775 expedition aboard Cook's ship Adventure.
On Cook's second voyage, the principal astronomer was William Wales. He was born in Yorkshire in 1734. In 1765 he was chosen by the Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne to be one of the four computers responsible for the calculations for the first Nautical Almanac, published in 1767.
In 1772, he was proposed by Maskelyne to be astronomer on Cook's Resolution, where he was assigned to assess the effectiveness of K1.
At the auction, a pocket watch by Kendall, which had been in Wales, was sold for 20 guineas, 9 shillings and 6 pence.
The quality of Kendall's work was unequalled, as evidenced by the few watches signed by him that still exist today.
However, he was not known for personal innovations, being mainly a watchmaker who produced high-quality products for retailers, meeting the demands of the most imaginative customers.
Most of his work, including watches and precision regulators, was sold under the names of other retailers.
Kendall died at Furnival's Inn Court on 22 November 1790. The obituary states that the Quakers “...received his body into the bosom of their church at his death...”, and he was buried in a Quaker burial ground in Kingston in Surrey on 28 November 1790.
Besides leaving a considerable sum in trust for his brother and family, the will, written on 6 November 1790 and proved on 8 December, also mentions the “implements in trade” and personal effects for Moses, who evidently arranged for them to be sold at auction.
It is not known whether Kendall was married, since no wife or children are mentioned in the will, and the furniture and belongings sold at auction strongly suggest that he lived as a bachelor throughout his life.
Larcum Kendall, London, 1765
This is a magnificent gilt brass watch whose movement displays a masterpiece of watchmaking: a full-plate fusée (34.5 mm in diameter) with elegant square baluster pillars. The cock is meticulously engraved, adding a touch of refinement to this piece. Adorning the endstone we find a gleaming diamond, a symbol of luxury and creativity. The cylinder escapement, following Graham's tradition, has an original inclination, and there is also a brass escape wheel with 13 teeth. The whole watch has undergone a thorough overhaul by one of the most important restorers in England, ensuring perfection and precision.
Among the watches signed by Kendall, besides the iconic K1 and K3, only six examples are known. A pair of watches, with tortoiseshell outer cases and signed L. Kendall, are magnificently displayed at the Science Museum in London.
Also of note is a pocket chronometer dated 1786, belonging to the Collection of the Clockmakers' Museum at the Guildhall Library, likewise signed L. Kendall. This remarkable collection was transferred to the Science Museum in the autumn of 2015, giving admirers a glimpse of the genius of this master of watchmaking.
The movement shown here bears undeniable similarities to those made by the firm of Mudge and Dutton, where it is speculated that Kendall exercised his skill and talent.
K1, K2 and K3, accompanied by an example of a cased cylinder watch, made in 1776, were auctioned at the renowned Bonhams London on 23/ 11/ 2004, as Lot 42, for the impressive sum of 64,530 pounds.
It is also clear that this is the only known movement by Kendall signed with his full name. It is presumed to have been made shortly before Kendall was honoured with the challenge of creating a replica of the iconic H4, establishing it as one of the oldest pieces, if not the oldest, known to have been made by this talented watchmaker.
Notes:
[1] It refers to an imprecise and rudimentary method used by the first ocean navigators to try to determine longitude during their voyages. Essentially, it involved estimating the distance travelled by the ship from its average speed and the time elapsed since departure from a known point of reference. Dead reckoning was based on observation of the ship's sails and of the sea currents, and was highly susceptible to error.
[2] It is a mechanical clock pendulum that uses a temperature-compensation system to maintain a constant frequency of oscillation. It is called a “gridiron” because it is made up of an iron grid with several bars joined by bimetallic strips of copper and steel. The combination of these materials allows the grid to expand and contract with changes in temperature, compensating for the changes in the pendulum's frequency of oscillation.
[3] They consist of an arbor and a series of teeth or leaves that mesh with other gears or wheels inside the clock. In watches with complications, pinions are used to drive these additional functions.
[4] They are known as alternating or anchor balances.
[5] They are a type of regulating device used in mechanical clocks to control the speed of oscillation of the pendulum or escapement. They consist of a thin metal bar with weights at the ends, which swing back and forth, acting as a kind of pendulum.
[6] The bimetallic strip is a device made up of two metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion, joined together. When the strip is exposed to changes in temperature, the metals expand or contract differently, causing the metal to expand. The caged ball bearing is a type of bearing used to support the arbors on which the gears and other mechanical parts turn inside the clock. It consists of a set of balls held in a cage or frame, allowing the balls to rotate freely around the arbor.
[7] It uses a technique in which the gears are controlled by means of a friction surface. This surface allows smooth and precise interaction between the gears, ensuring an even transfer of energy and a regular movement of the hands.
[8] This refers to the use of gems or precious stones as bearing points in the gearing of high-quality watch movements. They help to minimise friction and wear between the gears.
[9] This refers to the way the seconds hands move across the dial of a watch. Also known as “continuous motion”, “smooth motion” or “smooth seconds-hand motion”, this term describes the action of the seconds hands gliding smoothly around the dial instead of jumping from second to second.
[10] It refers to an additional mechanism found in some high-precision mechanical watches. The “remontoire” is a device designed to ensure a constant and even supply of energy to the escapement of the watch.
[11] It is an important component for ensuring the proper functioning and energy efficiency of a mechanical watch. Its function is to ensure that energy is transmitted in one direction only, keeping the watch in constant motion and preventing unwanted reversals.
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