Rare Exhibition of Renowned Thomas Tompion 17th Century Clocks, Watches Opens for Limited Time at National Watch & Clock Museum
Lover of fine antique clocks and watches – take note. A once-in-a-lifetime exhibit is opening at the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, PA, USA – one you won’t want to miss. Beginning today and running through January 9, 2014, an exhibition called “Majestic Time” features the largest collection ever assembled of clocks, watches and sundials by the famed Thomas Tompion – one of the foremost clockmakers of the 17th century. The collection is assembled just in time to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Tompion’s death (1639-1713). Tompion built precision clocks for the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, as well as creating ornate clocks and repeating pocket watches for society aristocrats. Known as the founder of English clockmaking, Tompion made 700 clocks in his lifetime and nearly 7000 watches – no easy feat in a day when metal was cut, smoothed and finished entirely by hand. Tompion also produced precision sundials to ensure that customers who commissioned one of his clocks could always set the clock accurately according to correct solar time. In 1713 Tompion was the first clockmaker granted the honor of burial in London’s Westminster Abbey. Majestic Time, at the National Watch and Clock Museum, is a truly…
