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longcase clock
Watson, Samuel
1690
walnut, metal, brass
SH.1960.122
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Eight day longcase clock made by Samuel Watson of Coventry and later London. The case is a fine piece of work and was either originally made for an astronomical clock now at Windsor, or is an exact copy of that case. It has 8 day 3 trained movement, with striking hours and chimed quarters. The dial is brass and is 20 inches across with sidereal and mean time calculator and date.The dial is marked "Sam Watson Londini fecit". It has a highly decorative walnut inlaid case with a design of birds, flowers, foliage and an urn. The hood has paired pillars and carries two semi-reclining figures with a pedastalled shield in between.

Samuel Watson was a leading clockmaker of his day. He was Sheriff of Coventry 1686, moved to London circa 1691, died circa 1712. Mathematician in Ordinary to King Charles II. In 1683 he began work on an astronomical clock for Charles. This was completed in 1690 and acquired by Queen Mary II. It is now in Windsor, but not in its original case. There is a strong likelihood that the Museums clock is in fact in the case originally made for the King's clock. If not, it is probably an exact copy made by Watson and the original royal case has been destroyed.
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