Books, books and more books! Here at our workshop in Hampshire we have quite a varied selection of horological reading material. From practical repair manuals to technical BHI course handbooks, historical records of clock makers through the ages to philosophical explorations of the nature of time itself.

There are a few that get regularly pulled from the shelves anytime a more technical solution is required.
The first, which was an essential part of my Horology Degree course when I was wheel cutting and designing the mechanism I made as my final project, is Wheel and Pinion Cutting in Horology by J Malcom Wild. The book contains a comprehensive guide to gearing in horology. It’s a fascinating aspect of clockmaking that many repairers don’t get the opportunity to delve into, but if you have a mathematical brain and enjoy the scientific equations, this is certainly worth a flip-through.
Secondly I would choose Clock and Watch Escapements by W.J.Gazeley. Anytime I repair a French Brocot Mantel clock and need to re-adjust the position of the ruby jewel pallets, this one comes off the shelf. The angles for these pallets have to be very precise and the diagrams in this book are a useful guide.
The last selection is The Science of Clocks and Watches by A.L. Rawlings. This is a type of expounded glossary with lots of helpful diagrams on a wide range of common and quirky arrangements found in clocks and watches. It’s a good reference point and simple to use.

There are lots of books available on the subject of clock repair and horology. Hopefully this post will inspire you to keep an eye out next time you’re visiting your local bookstore.