New Books

Smith (E.) & Smith (B.): Restoring Grandfather Clocks
NEW. 235 pages, 147 figures, reprinted 2019. The authors describe how to clean and service clock movements, how to refurbish dials and discuss all aspects of case restoration using an 8-day and a 30-hour longcase clock as examples. This is one of the better books for DIY clock enthusiasts. With dj. (Ref: N511)  in stock.

Smith (S.) & Son Limited: Motor Accessories Catalogue 1910
NEW. 134 pages, illus., reprinted 2006. An interesting catalogue from the early years of the motorcar. The book includes Smiths clocks and watches for the motorist as well as all conceivable kinds of accessory - a folding ladder for use when putting luggage on the roof, a tyre inflator using a carbon dioxide cylinder, a motorcar turntable (I am not making these up!) and many more. Card covers. (Ref: N1326)  in stock.

Somerville (A. R.): The Ancient Sundials of Scotland
NEW. [36 pages], 17 illustrations, plus 104 page catalogue of Scottish sundials, 1994. This interesting book reprints a paper, which originally appeared in a learned journal, detailing the 'Renaissance' sundials in Scotland. The dials date from the 17th and early 18th centuries and are free standing stone sculptures; the list includes examples still in existence as well as those known only from records. The catalogue describes each dial and gives its location. Card covers. (Ref: N1303)  in stock.

Standard Electric Time Co.: Standard Electric Time Systems - Catalogue 33
NEW. 64 pages, illustrated, 1994. This is a reprint of a catalogue issued circa 1914 by The Standard Electric Time Company of Springfield, Massachusetts. The company made electric master and slave clocks systems for public buildings, industry and commerce. Card covers. (Ref: N1805)  in stock.

Stanier (M.): Oxford Sundials
NEW. 40 pages, 24 colour plates, 2nd edition, 2003. Descriptions of many of the sundials in Oxford, with a location map. Many of the dials are located in the Colleges. Card covers. (Ref: N1807)  in stock.

Stimson (A.N.) & Daniel (C.StJ.H.): The Cross Staff - Historical Development and Modern Use
NEW. 26 pages, 7 figs, 1977. A useful history of the cross staff, reprinting instructions for its use first written by Andrew Wakeley circa 1650. The modern use of the instrument, using a replica staff, on the 1974 Golden Hinde voyage from Plymouth to San Francisco is also documented. Card covers, staples now rusted. (Ref: N1324)  in stock.

Thompson (D.): The British Museum Watches
NEW. 175 pages, 270 illustrations, paperback edition, reprinted 2018. A book telling the story of the watch, describing and illustrating 77 watches selected from the magnificent collection of watches held by The British Museum. The earliest example was made circa 1560, the latest in 2007. Each watch is illustrated in colour with excellent photographs of dial, movement and case. Card covers. The book is now out of print, these copies are old stock with minor shelf wear to covers. (Ref: N3681)  in stock.

Turner (A.): John Carte on Horology and Cosmology
NEW. 93 pages, 21 illustrations, 2014. A transcription, with introduction and notes, of a manuscript written by Carte and now in the Bodleian Library. The book includes a biography of Carte and also of Samuel Watson to whom he was apprenticed with a list of all their known works (many of them illustrated). Card covers. (Ref: N3667)  in stock.

Turner (G.L'E.): Elizabethan Instrument Makers
NEW. 305 pages, well illustrated, 2000. The book covers the origins of the London trade in precision instrument making from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, and describes over 100 surviving Elizabethan instruments including those by Humfrey Cole and Elias Allen. Such instruments were crucial to the professions of navigation, surveying, fortification and gunnery and established London as the centre of precision instrument making for two centuries. With dust jacket. (Ref: N1305)  in stock.

Tyler (E.J.): The Clockmakers of Sussex
NEW. 40 pages, illus., circa 1988. A useful list of clock and watch makers, with lots of biographical information. The only book about this county and now hard to find. Card covers. Old stock discovered at the back of the store room, still in new condition! (Ref: N2872)  in stock.

[Vallée De Joux]: Fermes Horlogères /Watchmakers Farms de la /from Vallée de Joux
NEW. A 63 cm x 47.5 cm folding map of the Joux Valley showing the location of 26 old farmhouses where prior to the 20th century farming was the summer activity and the winters were devoted to watchmaking. [French, German, Italian, English, Spanish and Chinese language] (Ref: N2353)  in stock.

Vermeij (K.) & Rijn (L. van): Early Swiss Wristwatches and their Manufacturers 1910 - 1930 - A Research into the 13-ligne Lever Escapement Movement
NEW. 274 pages, illustrated, 2014. This book has two main sections, the first about the manufacturers, their cases and movements; the second a detailed database of researched movements including photographs, details and measurements. This book will be a valuable research tool for enthusiasts of early Swiss wristwatches. (Ref: N3560)  in stock.

Vost (J.): Channel Islands Clockmakers 1680 - 1830
NEW. 66 pages, 2012. This new book contains the most up to date listing, with biographical information, of Guernsey & Jersey clockmakers and contains a lot of new research. This is a significant improvement on the information in Tribe & Whatmoor's book Dorset Clocks and Clockmakers published in 1981. Card covers. (Ref: N2769)  in stock.

Watters (M.): Mechanical and Quartz Watch Repair
NEW. 160 pages, 180 figures, 1999. After a chapter on tools and techniques the author explains how to clean a typical lever watch, the overhaul of a chronograph and discusses the working of various escapements and the use of the timing machine. A chapter on basic electricity and magnetism is followed by chapters on quartz watch repair, liquid crystal displays servicing a 5 motor chronograph and the Seiko Kinetic. With dust jacket. (Ref: N504)  in stock.

Watters (M.): The Clock Repairer's Manual
NEW. 176 pages, 219 figs., 1st edition, reprinted 2008. A good guide for the serious beginner with information on using the lathe, chiming work, platform escapements and much more. With dust jacket. (Ref: N1921)  in stock.

Wely (B. van) et al: Sing Song: Schatten uit de Verboden Stad /Treasures from the Forbidden City
NEW. 192 pages, illustrated in colour, 2010. A good catalogue of an exhibition of 19 clocks from the Chinese Imperial Collection of the Forbidden City, held in Utrecht from October 2010 to February 2011. As well as the descriptions and illustrations of the clocks there are six scholarly essays on - The Sing Song Trade; The Sing Song Makers; Sing Song Design; The Emperor's Taste; The Collection of Quanlong and the Sing Song Restoration. With paper wrapper. [Dutch language with English and Chinese summaries]
(Ref: N2397)  in stock.

Whiten (A.J.): Repairing Old Clocks & Watches
NEW. 280 pages, 274 figures, reprinted 2014. This book, written by a serious amateur restorer for other amateurs, is a sympathetic guide which will stimulate and inspire; the author has learnt from experience, you can learn from him. With dust jacket. (Ref: N507)  in stock.

Wilbourn (A.S.H.) & Ellis (R.): Lincolnshire Clock, Watch and Barometer Makers
O/P. 196 pages, 45 plates, 2001. This book contains a lot of research hence it has a very good list of Lincolnshire makers listed alphabetically and by place. There are interesting sections on Lincolnshire clock case makers, regional stylistic features of longcases and clockmakers' wills. A very useful addition to the regional literature as nothing else exists for the county. A new copy (old stock) of the soft covers edition, still in publishers shrink wrap. (Ref: N324)  in stock.

Wild (J.M.): Wheel and Pinion Cutting in Horology - a Historical and Practical Guide
NEW. 253 pages, 555 photographs, reprinted 2021. The author wrote a small paperback, now out of print, on this subject many years ago which was very useful. This is a new much larger work of use to all those who restore clocks. The practical sections include the theory of gearing, making cutters, cutting wheels and pinions, crossing out wheels, mounting wheels on arbors as well as information on replacing and finishing worn pivots. With dust jacket. (Ref: N325)  in stock.

Wiles (M.W.): Maintaining and Repairing Mechanical Watches - A Practical Guide
NEW. 208 pages, 242 colour photographs, 42 diagrams, reprinted 2022. A book written by an experienced watch repairer aimed at the novice as well as those with more experience. Full of advice and tips it has excellent step-by-step photographs with accompanying text, demonstrating how to maintain a mechanical watch and how to identify problems and correct them. The book covers a whole range of subjects from the simple task of replacing straps to fitting a mainspring and understanding the more complicated workings of the escapement. With dust jacket. (Ref: N4000)  in stock.