Joseph Johnson (watch maker)

Last updated

Joseph Johnson
Born2 April 1780 [1]
Liverpool Lancashire
Died2 March 1827
Liverpool
Buried, 6 March 1827. Everton, Lancashire. [2]
Nationality British
Occupation Horologist
Known forAntique watches
Spouse(s)Mary Bryers Born 14/04/1782 daughter of John Bryers and Margaret Blackburn on 24/03/1808 at St Anne’s Parish Richmond Liverpool Lancashire

Joseph Johnson of Liverpool, England, was a highly respected and successful British master clock, watch and chronometer maker.

Contents

He was a nonconformist who was married to Mary Bryers [3] [4] and who worked in Liverpool from 1795 to about 1827. The earliest specific date (from the hallmark in the silver case) known for a watch of his is 1811. [5] He is known to have worked from a factory at 25 Church Street, although census records indicate that his residence was elsewhere in the same street (No. 26 and later (1841 census) No. 49); only No. 25 is named on the movements of his watches. [6] After his death, on 2 March 1827, his wife Mary, son Joseph Johnson and grandsons Joseph Johnson Cashen and Joseph Johnson Norris continued his work until at least 1857. [7] His watches are of high quality and were usually provided with precious metal cases, often in gold; these have often been lost in the course of time, so that many Johnson watches now survive only as uncased movements. Joseph Johnson had a preference for using fully jewelled watch movements. [6] He is credited with inventing several design improvements to the pocket watch and watch movement. His watches were commonly used on U.S. railroads, before the establishment of the U.S. watch industry. In 1816 the United States government chose a chronometer signed by Johnson, No. 508, for a presentation to Commodore Oliver H. Perry in recognition of his action against the British on Lake Erie.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watchmaker</span> Artisan who makes and repairs watches

A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since a majority of watches are now factory-made, most modern watchmakers only repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their parts, by hand. Modern watchmakers, when required to repair older watches, for which replacement parts may not be available, must have fabrication skills, and can typically manufacture replacements for many of the parts found in a watch. The term clockmaker refers to an equivalent occupation specializing in clocks.

Henry Hindley (1701–1771) was an 18th-century clockmaker, watchmaker and maker of scientific instruments. He invented a screw-cutting lathe, a fusee-cutting engine and an improved wheel-cutting engine and made one of the first dividing engines, for the construction of accurately-graduated arcs on scientific instruments. He is thought to have made the world's first equatorially-mounted telescope, which can now be seen in Burton Constable Hall in East Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clockmaker</span> Artisan who makes and repairs clocks

A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and/or repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches. Clockmakers must be able to read blueprints and instructions for numerous types of clocks and time pieces that vary from antique clocks to modern time pieces in order to fix and make clocks or watches. The trade requires fine motor coordination as clockmakers must frequently work on devices with small gears and fine machinery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Arnold (watchmaker)</span> 18th-century English watchmaker and inventor

John Arnold was an English watchmaker and inventor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fusee (horology)</span> Mainspring force equalizing pulley in timepieces

A fusee is a cone-shaped pulley with a helical groove around it, wound with a cord or chain attached to the mainspring barrel of antique mechanical watches and clocks. It was used from the 15th century to the early 20th century to improve timekeeping by equalizing the uneven pull of the mainspring as it ran down. Gawaine Baillie stated of the fusee, "Perhaps no problem in mechanics has ever been solved so simply and so perfectly."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clockmakers' Museum</span> The Museum of the Clockmakers Company

The Clockmakers’ Museum in London, England, is believed to be the oldest collection specifically of clocks and watches in the world. The collection belongs to and is administered by the Clockmakers’ Charity, affiliated to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, founded in 1631 by Royal Charter. Since 2015 it has been housed in a gallery provided by the Science Museum in South Kensington, having formerly been located in the Guildhall complex in the City of London since 1874, where it first opened to the public. Admission is free.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Tompion</span> English clockmaker (1639–1713)

Thomas Tompion, FRS (1639–1713) was an English clockmaker, watchmaker and mechanician who is still regarded to this day as the "Father of English Clockmaking". Tompion's work includes some of the most historic and important clocks and watches in the world, and can command very high prices whenever outstanding examples appear at auction. A plaque commemorates the house he shared on Fleet Street in London with his equally famous pupil and successor George Graham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute</span> Not-for-profit trade association

The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI) is a not-for-profit trade association based in the United States that is dedicated to the advancement of the modern watch industry, from which it receives a significant portion of its funding. While the AWCI is an American organization, it also has members throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry</span> Swiss trade association

The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) is the Swiss watch industry's leading trade association, headquartered in Bienne, Switzerland. The Federation is a private, professional and non-profit association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Mudge (horologist)</span> 18th-century English horologist

Thomas Mudge was an English horologist who invented the lever escapement, a technological improvement to the pocket watch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gallet & Company</span> Swiss timepiece manufacturer

Gallet (ˈgæl.eɪ) is a historic Swiss manufacturer of high-end timepieces for professional, military, sports, racing, and aviation use. Gallet is the world's oldest clock making house with history dating back to Humbertus Gallet, a clock maker who became a citizen of Geneva in 1466. It is one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the World. The Gallet & Cie name was officially registered by Julien Gallet (1806–1849) in 1826, who moved the family business from Geneva to La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Prior to this date, operations commenced under the name of each of the Gallet family patriarchs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean-Antoine Lépine</span> French master clockmaker and watchmaker

Jean-Antoine Lépine was a French watchmaker. He contributed inventions which are still used in watchmaking today and was amongst the finest French watchmakers, who were contemporary world leaders in the field.

Sant Blanc is a family owned watch and jewelry company founded in 1779 by Gaston Sant Blanc. Sant Blanc sells jewelry and luxury wristwatches to an international market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Windmills</span> English clockmaker (c.1640–1724)

Joseph Windmills, was an eminent London watch- and clockmaker who, with his son Thomas, produced outstanding timepieces between 1671 and 1737.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Ivory (watchmaker)</span> Scottish watchmaker, clockmaker, and engraver

James Ivory was a Scottish watchmaker, clockmaker, and engraver. He was briefly followed by his son Thomas Ivory.

Charles Gretton was an English clock and watchmaker during the golden age of English clockmaking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hendrik Johan Kessels</span>

Hendrik Johan Kessels was a Dutch-born clockmaker and internationally renowned naval chronometer maker. He was particularly active in Altona, then part of Denmark but now in (Germany).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Kullberg</span>

Victor Kullberg (1824–1890) was one of London's most famous watchmakers, described by one authority as "one of the most brilliant and successful horologists of the 19th century."

References

Notes

Bibliography