Museum of the Watchmaker

Museum of the Watchmaker

The Museum of the Watchmaker is located in London, UK, and houses a collection of watches, timepieces, and other horology-related items from the "Worshipful Company of Clockmakers." The museum is located in the modern London Guildhall Gallery and is free to visit.

The collection of the Museum of the Watchmaker began in 1814, making it the world's oldest museum dedicated exclusively to timepieces. The museum opened to the public in 1874, with most of its exhibits dating from 1600 to 1850. Among its most important collections are marine chronometers, particularly those made by John Harrison in 1770 for the famous British fifth sea voyage. John Harrison (March 24, 1693 – March 24, 1776) was a self-taught British watchmaker who invented the marine chronometer, a key development in solving the long-sought and critical problem of accurately determining a ship’s east-west position, or longitude, at sea. This invention revolutionized the Age of Sail and made safe long-distance maritime navigation possible.

In 2002, the Museum of the Watchmaker underwent a complete renovation. In addition to showcasing timepieces and the history of clockmaking in London, the museum also features a rotating exhibition of 21st-century timepieces created by contemporary artists and watchmakers.

Clockmakers' Museum

Must-visit reason: The world’s oldest museum dedicated to the collection of timepieces

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Britain[Britain]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Greater London [Greater London]

City where the attraction is located: London [London]