Committi at Baselworld

Already Day 5 of the show and what a fantastic reaction we've had to the stunning new clocks! Comitti has brought the unique heritage of British Clockmaking to an international audience at Baselworld.

This is the best ever show for Comitti with interest from all over the world - including Australia, China, India, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Taiwan, UAE and Canada.

The skeleton clocks have really drawn the visitors .. people passing the stand are compelled to look at the Grasshopper (in all versions), the Congreve and the Great Wheel and nearly all want to talk about them and are intrigued by the great history and romance behind each piece of 'horological art'.

Keep watching this space for more updates and photos from this event along with news about some of the new products revealed at Baselworld.

British clock makers Booming Export Trade

A heartening story for British business but also a special coup for clock making in the UK. This BBC item tells the story of Smith clocks who are enjoying something of a boom in export orders despite the comparative state of economic stasis at home. Apparently, "Made in Britain" has become a popular selling tag in many eastern European countries and China and of course Britain has a very special place in the history of clock making and is renowned the world over as an innovator in horology.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12157437

Dr John Taylor & The Chronophage

An interesting story about Dr John Taylor , inventive horologist and designer of the 'Chronphage' a very exotic novelty clock / work of art. Dr Taylor also cites John Harrison as a significant source of inspiration for his long term interest in clocks and horology.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/isleofman/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9330000/9330447.stm

HMS Beagle Chronometer – John Harrison

HMS Beagle

The BBC “History Of The World In A Hundred Objects” series recently cited some of John Harrison’s significant horological inventions. None is more significant though than his work with maritime chronometers, devices that literally revolutionised the science of navigation at sea. The Comitti Grasshopper clock is a faithful reproduction of one of Harrisons more exotic chronometers but the BBC series focused on the historic time keeping device that was kept aboard HMS Beagle and accompanied Darwin on his epic voyages.

See more on the article here --- with photos.

Harrison Precision Pendulum Clock

The BBC has recently broadcast a series of historical documentaries on Radio 4 entitled History of The World in One Hundred Objects. The series attempts to define the inventions or artifacts that have had a marked effect on the development of society, the evolution of science / engineering and ultimately defined aspects of modern life today. Obviously, the clock and time keeping is a very important aspect of this and a number of John Harrison’s inventions and patents have been cited in the documentary.

This is an interesting article about his Precision Pendulum Clock that became a vital time reference instrument, which played a significant role in maritime time keeping and navigation. In some ways it was a little like the base time atomic clocks of today.

BBC Harrison Precision Pendulum Clock

Pre Owned Watches from Cottrills, UK

More high quality wristwatches and pre-owned high prestige watches from Cottrills UK. Many available at substantially discounted prices.

Pre owned watches, Cottrills UK

Patek Pre-owned Wristwatch

An example of the pre-owned wristwatches currently available from Prestons of Bolton. The Patek Philippe Gondola Serata ladies watch is set with over 100 diamonds in a white gold casing with mother of pearl face. You can see the website entry here pre-owned Patek

Patek is a very distinguished name and one of the oldest Swiss watchmaking firms but probably not quite as well known as other prestige names such as Rolex and Longines. Prestons of Bolton are a major stockist for Rolex and also supply new watches by all of the other luxury brands. Over the coming months the pre-owned wristwatches collection is expected to grow exponentially and there are likely to be many interesting and highly collectable timepieces available for purchase at reduced prices.

More info here Prestons of Bolton pre-owned wristwaches