Hi all,

Watchmakers & Clockmaers of the World
By G.H. Baillie

I have the above named book, and would like to know if you think this one is mostly for clocks?

The reason for the question is that it includes dates from the fourteenth century to 1825.

Lists consist of Names, dates, country of origin, and more. First published in 1929, as a companion volume to the original, this is the 1966 expanded version.

By G.H. Baillie

The one I have is:
Britten's OLD CLOCKS AND WATCHES AND THEIR MAKERS
Seventh Edition by G.H. Baillie, C.Clutton and C.A. Ilbert
this seventh edition was published in 1956.

It seems to have a bit more infor on clocks, but a significant portion is dedicated to watches.

Hi Sheila,

I'd like to add my thoughts on this topic if it helps.

I have the 1989 Vol 2 by Brian Loomes, plus several others related to makers and their origins such as Baillies etc.

The books generally don't favour one branch of horology (watches/Clocks) over any other in particular unless stated in the title, It just depends (with each successive volume) as to how much info has turned up between publications on makers as to what we get and what is known about them.
Usually, as previously unheard of makers of timepiece examples turn up at auction or in museums /apprenticeship records etc, the updated info is added to successive volumes.

Brian Loomes records against each maker a 'C' or 'W' or both to indicate watches or clocks (IF KNOWN)- often as a result of finding an example of a timepiece. (Loomes is a genealogist as well as a horologist - his son now operates the clock repair business from Pately Bridge in North Yorkshire not too far from where I live).

However, not all makers are listed and not all state which field was specialised in, especially if such listings are based purely upon apprenticeship records, so it's worth getting other volumes of any maker's listings if possible - Watches OR Clocks!.

For example, WAGGITT is listed in G.H.Baillie Vol 1. 1985, yet the Loomes 1989 Vol 2 I have, doesn't list WAGGITT at all, no specifics are given either as to whether watches or clocks were made - when in fact both were made by the WAGGITT family - A PW is held in the reserve collection in York museum(UK), and I was instrumental in Brian Loomes purchasing a WAGGITT long case clock at auction for a good Canadian friend of mine ( 5x GtGranddaughter of a WAGGITT clockmaker).

However, in Loomes' 'Clockmakers of Northern England', 1997, 4x WAGGITT makers (all in fact the same family) are listed as working between 1790 & 1872 - but no specifics as to which field of horology was specialised in! Also, although the book is titled 'Clockmakers' WAGGITT's did in fact make watches too.

Essentially Any book listing makers, whether for clocks or watches is worth having, because it's highly possible several makers made both when only one field is known about, purely based upon the fact that a single timepiece (watch Or clock) has been found!

Sorry for the length of the message, but hope this helps a tad.

Best regards

John.

Tom,
I have seen that one on ebay and have considered it, thank you for the information. I figured they updated them, so I keep looking.

John,
I like what you wrote about Loomes indicating the "C" and "W" in their listing if it's known, that's a good one to know, and I see what you mean about not having everything listed. Like I mentioned above, I figured I had to just keep adding to what I have to keep up with what is found out there.

I started a list of my own for some of the information, but I only do it when I have to look something up, and then I add it to what I have.

Needless to say, it's getting to be a pretty big list. It also seems to be an unending job, but I guess it's one of those "Forever" things that will have to continue for as long as there are collectors.
Most of my information is about pocket watches, however I did start on clocks when I purchased a group of small books with US Clock makers in them.

It's a project that many have done, and has been going on for a long, long time, but I really would like to get the individule information separated for my own use, and for all of us to be able to use.

I guess it would take all of the wonderful books already wtitten to do only half the job.

Awfully big job huh?

Thank God, that some, have already "been there" "Done That"

Hi Sheila,
As you say, a Big job, but please keep on doing that list, you never know, one day you may find yourself publishing a valuable Tome to rival those of Loomes and Baillie! (please keep me on your 'subscriber list' )

I wonder though, just how many makers have vanished without trace over the centuries and will never ever be known about (along with their timepieces)???

We get the 'Big Names' and those of quality small producers cropping up regularly, but there must have been hundreds of thousands, if not millions of watch and clockmakers worldwide working at the height of horological production (whenever that was)!
What happened to them all and their timepieces I wonder?

Food for thought that!
Best regards
John

John,
Oh No! Stop! I have nightmares about that exact thing!
Where have all the watchmakers gone, long time passing, where have all the watches gone, oh, excuse me, I was singing! hehehehe

I just know the information is just sitting there hiding, waiting for some nut like me to find it and post it for them. I often dig into stuff that some don't. I love old trade papers, for that reason. I read them and find all kinds of names and dates and stuff. I only wish I had a crew of people to put it all together, but hey, then I would miss the reading, so that's not an option.

I enjoy the search anyway, so hang in there, and maybe when I'm 108 I will publish something, but don't hold your breath, I'm not that organized!

Hanging in there and breathing me dear!
John