As far back as Neolithic times, the world-famous Stonehenge was built to connect with ancient astronomy aligned to measure the sunrise of the summer solstice and the sunset of the winter solstice.
It is said that around three-quarters of all inventions in mechanical timekeeping came from Britain’s horological heyday in the 18th-19th centuries.

‘Longitude’ is a famously British discovery and our planet keeps time by the prime meridian at Greenwich. And the world’s most iconic working symbol of time? ‘Big Ben’, of course, in London.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into Britain’s unique history with time, we recommend a visit to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.

The Company still maintains the spirit of its original 1631 charter and The Clockmakers’ Museum, housed at the Science Museum, London, is the oldest collection of clocks, watches and sundials in the world with over 1,400 objects.

From the 1850s, watchmaking in Britain declined to virtual extinction, until Dr George Daniels CBE forced the world to take notice again, thanks to his single-minded genius.
Today there is a resurgence in our sector, driven by the innovation, creativity and passion for which Britain has always been renowned.

There are now more than 90 trading watch and clock makers dotted around the British Isles, ranging from world-leading horologists to major export brands and niche mechanical artists.
In fact, all over the British Isles you’ll find watch and clock companies offering art, design, adventure, technology and ultimately, excellence.

British watch and clock makers are now helping to steer and encourage this exciting resurgence with our dynamic and forward-thinking Alliance.