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2016 May meeting

May 5, 2016

Our next meeting will comprise of several presentations from the current crop of horology students at West Dean college. This annual event gives the students a chance to try their hand at public speaking and present on a project that makes up a major part of their coursework for qualification in restoration and conservation of antique clocks. This evening promises good variety and an opportunity for lively discussion.

Cfnctu2WwAEsd80.jpg largeExamples of work from West Dean college, shown at our open day in 2016

Presentations:

Michael Cranefield – More on Cleaning. An update on research into using ‘CleanSpirit’ as a viable clock cleaning solution.

Rob Thompson – Researching the properties of mainsprings using an electronic torque meter to evaluate their characteristics.

Jonathan Turner Bishop – Career change from the Swiss watch industry to the conservation of clocks.

Daniela Corda – Dilemmas of Dynamic Objects. A journey through some of the ethical issues relating to the repair of clocks through case studies.

Ken de Lucca – You always hurt the one you love. A discussion of the historic remaking of a tavern clock and its future.

Nick Western – The turret clock at West Dean by JW Benson.

Fjodor vd Broek – The professional decision making process relating to historic restorations.

Matthew Read – Seven years at West Dean. A review and reflection of some of the highpoints from the past seven years and a glimpse of the future as the college engages more with Higher Education in the 21st century.

Please note that this event will be held at the temporary venue, The Soper Hall in Caterham.

  • Soper Hall, Harestone Valley Road
  • Caterham, CR3 6HY

 

 

  • Soper Hall, Harestone Valley Road
  • Caterham, CR3 6HY

 

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2016 April meeting

RESTORATION OF A BRACKET CLOCK

Sid Lines MBHI

For our April meeting we are delighted to welcome Sid Lines MBHI. Many members will remember Sid’s talk on “Workshop Practice – Hints & Tips” and know that we are in for a very practically focused evening. This is a change to our published programme as unfortunately due to a business commitment David Walter cannot be with us and we are very grateful to Sid for stepping in at such short notice.
Sid says “being in engineering for most of my working life has its advantages as most of the required hand skills were brought about by lots of practice. During the practice there was also a large amount of small machine tool work (lathes / milling etc.) again helping greatly when it comes to making replacement parts and methods of repair.”
The talk covers the restoration of a clock purchased at a branch auction some four years ago and shows how Sid used his engineering ideas to make the missing parts plus a small amount of carpentry.
The clock by a local “Maidstone” maker is a good example of a small double fusee in a pleasant rose wood veneered case.
Sid hopes we will enjoy the talk as much as he enjoyed restoring the clock – I am sure we will!!

Apr_Intro_Clock

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2016 April Open day

Saturday 9th April 2016. 10am until 4pm at Soper Hall, Caterham

A unique opportunity to view demonstrations of the skills used in clock and watch making and to participate in several projects. Expert advice on related careers and courses.

Maybe you will be encouraged to join!

All ages welcome. Free entry. Free refreshments.

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Exhibits
Read about the history and importance of time measurement. View a selection of antique tools used in making clocks and watches.
Clocks and models built by BHI members.

Demonstrations
Cleaning, polishing, silvering a two pence piece
Make a keyring or spinning top from a two pence piece.
Working on the watchmakers lathe – balance staff turning.
Hand tools – piercing saw and files.
Engine Turning interactive demonstration.
Clockwork wheel cutting

Courses and Careers
Work from the local evening classes and workshop.
BHI short courses.
West Dean College – conservation of clocks.
British School of Watchmaking
Birmingham City University – Horology BA (Hons).
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.
Charles Frodsham and Co Ltd.

For Sale
Selection of coffee table books for sale.
H S Walsh horology supplies – tools and clock parts – assemble a clock from available parts (from £5)

Refreshments
Pop-in for complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits

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2016 March meeting

FABERGÉ CLOCKS

Tim Richman Gadoffre

For our March meeting we are delighted to welcome Tim Richman Gadoffre, an independent applied arts specialist. His talk will explore the techniques used by Fabergé in the design and manufacture of clocks.

Passionate about the history of the applied arts, Tim enjoys working with museum curators and leading arts organisations in the UK, Europe, Russia and the USA. His keen interest is in guilloché enamel, seen in the work of the 18th, 19th and early 20th century goldsmiths.

With his special interest in the design and manufacturing techniques of pre-1918 Fabergé, Tim has built an extensive archive containing records of over 12,000 Fabergé pieces. His research into the firm’s unique know-how, combined with his understanding of Geometry & Proportion, is seen as ground-breaking by other experts in this specialist field.

TimGadoffrephoto

Since June 2004, Tim has focused on actualising into reality his passion for fine craftsmanship and tangible manufacturing. Bringing together a team of master craftsmen and independent goldsmiths, he designs and oversees the fabrication of one-off objets d’art and fine jewellery, as well as progressing his R&D into guilloché enamel.

This promises to be an enthralling evening giving a rare insight into the history and world of Fabergé, superbly illustrated with many images from Tim’s personal archive.

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2016 February meeting

THE INVENTION AND EARLY HISTORY OF THE WRISTWATCH

Richard Edwards

The bracelet watch for ladies was well over a hundred years old by the First World War but men wore them too! What did they look like? How would you recognize a true early wristwatch from a “conversion” if you came across one today? I hope to shine a light on the early history of the wristwatch which until now has been veiled in legend and misinformation.

Richard Edwards is a semi-retired watch restorer and tutor and sometime Technology teacher. He qualified in watchmaking in 1979 from Hackney College while already working as a teacher.

If you have an early wristwatch known or suspected to be pre-WW1 please bring it along to the meeting.

2667.1907Gentsred

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2016 January meeting

January 7, 2016

The South London Branch Grand Tour of Switzerland

Grahame Brooks Hon FBHI

We are delighted to open the New Year with a talk by our own Grahame Brooks Hon FBHI on the South London Branch’s “Grand Tour of Switzerland.”

Last May, 18 members including some from Ipswich and Milton Keynes branches left by Swiss flight LX317 to Zurich, in the North East of the country.

The tour planned by Peter Elliott FBHI, with help from the Swiss Travel Service, visited six museums, one major watch manufacturer and a cable car!

GT

Travelling by coach and staying in excellent hotels, the group’s tour will be retold by Grahame with digital images showing many of the horological treasures, both antique and modern, they were privileged to see. The tour starting from Zurich in the North East, via Neuchatel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, to Geneva in the South West covered some 350 miles.

DSC_0130

Grahame, who retired almost 20 years ago is one of our original Branch members, being No.3!  After a life time in the Watch business, including a year working in Switzerland, he has been a Contributor to Wristwatch and QP magazines, as well as the HJ.

Grahame is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company.

 

 

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2015 December meeting

Engine Turning

Philip Whyte Hon FBHI

The final lecture of 2015 will be given by our own Philip Whyte. Philip is this year’s Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and a Director of Charles Frodsham & Co. He is also a member of the George Daniels Trust Advisory committee and a Vice President of the BHI.

Philip believes you need to physically handle as many clocks and watches as possible in order to fully appreciate what top makers really had achieved.

This lecture on Engine Turning, explores mankind’s ingenuity in creating machines that could, both replicate and repeat, a fixed pattern on an object.

The talk embraces the early days of these mechanisms and continues right up until the typical Rotary and Straight-line machines, which were produced in Birmingham as recently as 50 years ago.

The huge range of objects that were Engine Turned will be explored, and the reasons for doing so, which surprisingly were not always done from a decorative standpoint.

The lecture will show how Engine Turning was used to great advantage by clock and watchmakers, both in England and abroad.

How, although the overall Engine Turning trade has declined, many contemporary watchmakers are now incorporating it into their products

In addition, the principle of how these machines work, and how one might use them from a practical viewpoint, will be covered. Tool sharpening and tool angles details will be shown for those of a ‘hands-on’ nature in the audience, and design considerations for those who might be contemplating making something that could be Engine Turned.

 

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2015 November auction

Branch Auction

The branch auction is one of the highlights of the calendar for many of our members. It is a chance to grab a bargain or make a bit of extra cash by selling those unwanted horological items.

There is always something for everyone at this event, so why not dig out those horological treasures that have been lurking under the bench or in the back of the cupboard, you may be pleasantly surprised at how much they realise.

This is a private auction and is therefore only open to members of the BHI (including Branch members) and horology students from West Dean College. Please bring proof of membership to enable us to issue a bidding number.

Booking in will commence at 18:30 in the Lindley Room.

Viewing will commence in the main hall at 19:00. NO LOTS WILL BE TAKEN IN AFTER 19:45 to allow time for administration and for a prompt start at 20:15.

Payments up to £100 are required to be made in cash. By prior arrangement and agreement with the Treasurer we will accept cheques for total payments over £100.

No commission is charged to buyers. Sellers only pay £1.50 per lot entry. If you wish to set a reserve you must bid up to that price and collect your lot at the end of the evening if not sold.

We reserve the right to refuse any lots containing fluids / powders and the like that are not in secure & sealed containers.

Electrical / electronic items are sold with no guarantee as to their condition or safety. All such equipment should be checked by a suitably qualified electrician.

Full auction rules will be clearly displayed

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2015 October meeting

AGM followed by a talk from our own Jack Hobson

This meeting will be a two stage event. Firstly there will be the AGM where you have the opportunity to find out the current state of branch affairs. There will be reports from the Chairman and Treasurer followed by any questions, and the election of the committee for the coming year.

Please remember to vote at the AGM you must be a member of both our Branch and the BHI at Upton Hall.

Now for our Star Turn!!

Bluffers Guide to the Strength of Materials and Heat Treatment of Steel 

Why are some materials strong and others weak? What is special about iron? What is the best heat treatment for a particular steel?
The material science behind these questions is complicated, however a good level of understanding is easy to achieve. Some simple conclusions and insights will be presented which, if recounted with confidence, will convince others (less prepared) of your expertise.

Jack Hobson is a dilettante of many disciplines including mechanical engineering, metallurgy,   blade-smithing (and recently horology). True to his name, he is Jack of all trades…

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2015 September meeting

The Beresford Hutchinson Memorial Lecture

Conservation of the Pyke Organ Clock for Temple Newsam

Malcolm Archer FBHI

The Pyke Organ Clock

Our speaker this month is Malcolm Archer FBHI who since 2007 has been working as a self-employed clockmaker based near Chichester.

He is also employed as one of the Associate Tutors on the Clocks programme at West Dean College, providing tutoring as well as specialised training in small work such as carriage clocks.

Following his initial horological training at Hackney College in 1998 Malcolm went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation/ Restoration of Antique Clocks at West Dean College obtaining a pass with distinction.
The Pyke Clock Project headed up by Malcolm is the result of a collaboration between Leeds Temple Newsam House and West Dean College.

George Pyke, a clockmaker and organ builder, working in eighteenth century London. Along with his father John Pyke, George was an associate of the eminent English clockmaker Charles Clay.

Transported to West Dean in early February 2014, the clock, circa 1765, consists of a near eight-foot-high ebonised case containing the clock movement, automaton dial and barrel organ with pipes in wood and metal. The music is played from the large rotating wooden barrel with several thousand individual pins and bridges, each activating a note.

Restoration involved work on the clock movement, automaton dial and barrel organ mechanism together with the ebonised case.

Now working and back at Temple Newsam tonight’s talk is the story of the conservation of this most remarkable clock.