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The most famous watchmakers of the 1800s-2000s
Presented to you by Mantel Clock Studio

Clocks are an important part of our daily lives, whether they are hanging on the wall, sitting on a desk or in our smartphones. But have you ever wondered which craftsmen and clockmakers are behind these timeless horological creations? Let’s explore the history of the most famous clockmakers from the 19th to the 21st centuries, their extraordinary horological creations and the valuable legacy they left behind.

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Seth Thomas

Born in 1785, Seth Thomas was one of the earliest pioneers of clockmaking in the United States. After serving an apprenticeship in Connecticut, he opened his own watch factory in 1810. Known for his wooden movement tall clocks and brass movement desk clocks, Seth Thomas revolutionized the industry by producing high quality affordable clocks. His clocks were produced until 1913 and left a lasting mark on the horological world.

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Ingraham

Located in Connecticut, the Ingraham Clock Company was a pioneer in the clock manufacturing industry from 1828 to 1978. Founded by Elias Ingraham, the company earned a reputation for innovation, with Elias himself holding 17 patents for watch parts. His son Edward pioneered the technique of enameling watches. Ingraham’s famous 8-day pendulum wall and desk clocks became a must-have in American homes, especially before World War II.

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Ansonia

Founded in 1850, the Ansonia Clock Company specialized in mantel clocks, wall clocks, floor clocks and alarm clocks. Ansonia is known for its elegant pendulum clocks and pendulum man clocks for those who appreciate luxury and craftsmanship. Headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut and Brooklyn, New York, the company thrived until post-World War I economic challenges shifted demand to more affordable clocks.

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Howard Miller

Howard Miller was trained in the Black Forest region of Germany and founded the Howard Miller Watch Company in 1926 . Known for its fine designs and quality materials, the company rose to fame in the 1960s with its floor clocks, earning the title of “The World’s Largest Floor Clock Manufacturer”. Although Howard Miller clocks have traditionally been at the top end of the market, they are now available in a wide range of prices, making their classic designs accessible to all.

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Junghans

Born in 1823, Erhard Junghans founded Gebr Junghans Uhrenfabrik in the Black Forest, Germany in 1861, and by 1903 Junghans was the world’s largest watchmaker, producing a wide range of timepieces. Junghans maintained its reputation by merging with German watchmakers such as Lenzkirch and Gustav Becker, combining German precision engineering with American production methods. Today, Junghans is still the leading company in the German watch manufacturing industry.

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Kintarō Hattori

Kintarō Hattori, the visionary founder of Seiko, began his watchmaking journey in Tokyo in 1881. At the young age of 13, Kintarō Hattori mastered the art of watch repair and sales, and eventually founded Seikosha (now Seiko). Seikosha revolutionized the watch industry by introducing the world’s first quartz wristwatch and the first quartz chronograph. Today, Seiko is a global leader in clocks, watches and precision instruments.

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Bruno Hillman

Bruno Hillmann, a German watchmaker born in 1869, made both practical and academic contributions to the watch industry. He is widely recognized for founding a watchmaking company in Leipzig and for his 1925 book on wristwatch engineering, which had a profound impact on the development of modern watchmaking and precision craftsmanship.

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Reinhard Straumann

Swiss watchmaker Reinhard Straumann is best known for his invention of the timegrapher, a device for measuring the accuracy of mechanical watches. His company, Nivarox, developed a breakthrough iron alloy for watch hairsprings that revolutionized watch balances and durability. Straumann’s innovations remain an integral part of watchmaking and other precision industries today.

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Adolf Schieber

As the inventor of the quartz clock, Adolf Schiebe changed the future of timekeeping. Quartz clocks use a crystal oscillator to maintain superior accuracy beyond that of traditional mechanical clocks. This invention dates back to the early 20th century and remains a cornerstone of modern timekeeping.

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Albert Pellaton

Swiss watchmaker Albert Pellaton, born in 1898, revolutionized the design of self-winding systems. His Pellaton winding system replaced the inefficient rotor movement with a heart-shaped disc and pawl, resulting in a smoother and more reliable winding mechanism. This innovation cemented Pellaton’s position in the field of horological engineering.

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Sinclair Harding

Founded in 1967 by Bill Sinclair and Mike Hard ing , Sinclair Harding became synonymous with British craftsmanship. The company made its name with triple-winding hairspring chiming movements and bespoke designs such as the Wishing Fish clock. Today, under the direction of Bob Bay, Sinclair Harding continues to produce entirely handmade, personalized timepieces for collectors worldwide.

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MantelClock Studio is dedicated to celebrating the art and craftsmanship of these historic watchmakers. Their work reminds us that timekeeping is not just a function, but an art form that has evolved over the centuries. Feel free to explore our collection of vintage-inspired watches and add a touch of history to your home.

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