British Museum Clocks & Watches Gallery Tour

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iFunky provides a captivating tour of the newly re-opened Clocks & Watches gallery at the British Museum in London. This initial installment offers a chronological overview of horological history, from AD 1300 to the present, highlighting the museum's impressive collection and the gallery's layout.

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An evening at the British Museum - Part I

Following the re-opening of the Clocks & Watches gallery at the British Museum, London I had the idea to give you a quick overview of these two rooms.

The Great Court

Situated in the upper level of the museum in the rooms 38 and 39 called also The Sir Harry and Lady Djanogly Gallery

The gallery is ordered chronologically from AD 1300 to present. But I would say that the “present” part is truncated as on the wristwatch board you will read something like that: “At present watches are mainly quartz based due to timekeeping reasons …” O_o
IMO the interest of the gallery is more the opportunity to get a global overview of the watchmaking’s history over the year: a History of Time (I think the expression is from Frances Spiegel)

But it seems that another room will open soon and this beautiful clock is a good teaser!

Please excuse the poor quality of the pictures as I didn’t ask for a special evening and I had to deal with glasses’ reflection and people on the background!

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'boat' automaton is highlighted as potentially the most interesting piece in the gallery, noted for its intricate details and numerous automatons, despite being non-functional.
A fellow collector shares images of their own museum clock collection, expressing appreciation for the virtual tour and the memories it evokes of bracket clocks, automatons, marine chronometers, and pocket watches.
The pocket watch section of the gallery is particularly praised, with a recall of two original Breguet pocket watches and a vintage keyless-winding LeCoultre making a strong impression.
A community member notes the exhibit's excellence but points out a common shortcoming in museum displays: the 'modern' section often falls short, perhaps because contemporary pieces are still in collectors' hands.
SJX recalls seeing the 'boat' automaton during a previous visit to the British Museum but doesn't remember seeing the more modern wristwatches, expressing gratitude for the virtual tour.

The Discussion

iFunky

Jan 14, 2009

An evening at the British Museum - Part III

An evening at the British Museum - Part III This boat is probably (IMO) the most interesting piece of the gallery, so many details, so many automatons ... but probably the only one not working! Marine Chronometers: The "Present" area is relatively poor ... JLC, Omega .... I hope you enjoyed this quick tour of the gallery! Yves

Dr No

Jan 14, 2009

Thanks for the virtual tour, ifunky . . .

. . . do you remember any details about pocket watch #68? Cordially, Art

BDLJ

Jan 14, 2009

#68?

Art, #68 - what appears to be a twin barrel watch? I have a friend who works for the Museum. I'll see if she can indulge us and find out.

iFunky

Jan 16, 2009

Art, I've popped in tonight into

The museum but saddly these rooms are closed even for the "late".... Anyway I've been able to gather some info but not details one: the pocket watch #68 appears to be from Sir John Bennett it's a "simple" Grande & Petite sonnerie with only a single mainspring, blue hands and white emanel dial ....

Dr No

Jan 16, 2009

Many thanks, ifunky . . .

. . . the layout of #68 was intriguing, and even more so because at least to my one good eye, the detail on the far side of the movement was obscured . . . gratefully, Art

iFunky

Jan 18, 2009

Last but not least

As my wife wanted to see something at the museum I took this opportunity to go back to the Clocks & Watches room: Pictures of the watch: And scan from the book: The boat mecanism: And one close-up of the marine chronometer of Breguet:

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