Robert Loomes MBHI Clock Restoration

read moreThe British Horological Institute Code of Practice, revised in 2003, is a minimum by which restorers and conservators should conduct their business. This code applies to the repair, restoration and conservation of clocks and watches, or related artefacts. All members of the Institute, whether qualified or unqualified, are bound by the code. A member should provide the customer with a written quotation or estimate for all work together with an indication of how long the work is likely to take. If extra work is required, the customer's consent should be obtained for both the extent and the cost of the extra work.

read moreThe starting point for researching a clockmaker is a book called WATCH AND CLOCKMAKERS OF THE WORLD. This well known work by G Bailie and B Loomes has just (2006) been re-published with over 20,000 new entries, so it now carries brief details of over one hundred thousand makers. OLD CLOCKS AND WATCHES AND THEIR MAKERS, by J Britten, published by Methuen Spon, London, has more detailed listings of around 25,000 makers, the majority London makers, it tends to include more addresses of makers, and you can track a clockmaker's progress around London as they move from place to place - a useful guide for dating many London clocks.

read moreIf you're looking for links for dial restoration it is difficult. The BHI run occasional courses on the subject, but the best three books on the subject are "painted dial restoration" by Fances Tennant, "the longcase clock reference book" by John Robey and "painted dial clocks" by Brian Loomes. With all three you should have a good idea of where to start. British Watch and Clockmakers' Guild is the professional organisation for clock and watchmakers. They work hard to promote and protect the trade.

read moreWe are always interested to hear from good clock makers and watchmakers to come and join us in Stamford. You should either hold clock making qualifications (HND, BTEC, or BHI) OR have minimum five years experience and references. We are located in a beautiful building in a prime location with lovely colleagues. There is an interesting variety of work (predominantly repair of interesting antique clocks, mostly French and English). Contact us for more information. Robina Hill FRSA MIoD took over as Managing Director in 2011.

read moreWe have the expertise and the experience to repair nearly every possible kind of domestic antique clock, from carriage clocks to the largest longcase clocks, from simple thirty hours to complex musical clocks or carriage clocks. We are used to restoring missing parts (moon-drives, calendars, hands etc.), having restored many thousands of antique clocks over the years. We have a flexible attitude to antique clock restoration standards. Some customers are truly looking for "restoration" in the traditional sense of the word, and expect clocks to gleam as though they were made last week.

read moreAbove is an example of a period one dial which had been dropped. The corner painting was the only damaged area as the rest of the dial was unharmed. After carefully recording the unrestored dial, we were able to remove and replace the flaking paint work as shown below. Above is evidence that we use the same techniques and materials, where necessary, as the original dial artists. This moon dial was cleaned and the outer edge re silvered, before the paintings were restored. As much of the original painted scenes and moons were retained as possible, before recreating the missing details accurately with oil paint.

read moreTo set up a longcase clock, first get your case where you want it and wedge it tightly up against the wall. This may mean wedging a packing piece between the backboard top and the wall to fill the gap caused by your skirting board at ground level. Many clocks have a wooden batten on the upper backboard so that this can lean against the wall. A clock that can wobble to and fro may keep stopping, so the case must be firmly positioned against the wall. Some owners like to screw them to the wall, though this is not essential.

read morePainted dial clocks and clock dial restoration have been my family's business since 1966. My father, Brian Loomes, was interested in the then neglected history of painted dial clock. His early research resulting in The White Dial Clock (and later White Dial Clocks and Painted Dial Clocks) has been the cornerstone for all later books on the subject. At our workshops in Stamford we use a combination of traditional and modern techniques to achieve the highest quality painted dial restoration. Customers include major European museums ( including the British Horological Institute, the Finnish Clock Museum, the German National Clock Museum)and horological collections worldwide.