Rupert Parsons, Horologist

06/10/2026

On our last day, we visited the world UNESCO site of Sainte-Cécile Cathedral of Albi, the largest brick cathedral in the world. The 13th century Gothic interior is spectacular with numerous frescoes, painted chapels, stained glass windows and intricately carved stone.

The main entrance features two rare, historic vertical sundials painted directly onto its exterior walls, facing east and west.

Originally, it featured historical mottos and numerals, although the traditional metal gnomons (the triangular blades that cast the shadow) have now largely disappeared.

The Latin inscription below translates as :
"Would that mutual harmony might unite mankind, so that each might be willing to share their advantages with others."

03/10/2026

Église Saint-Germier, Endoufielle, has a beautiful white dial clock by the entrance and automated bells which strike the hour in Comtoise style and with Angelus at 7 o'clock and midday, ringing 150 times! Luckily, it is quiet at night.

On the walls of Château de Caumont, there is a rather splendid old sundial.

11/09/2026

Don't think I've ever seen a more unevenly cut ratchet wheel!

05/08/2026

Customer: "My clock kept stopping so I gave it a spot of oil, but it still wont go. Could you have a look and see if you can spot the problem?"
Me: "....!"

19/06/2026

Quick break from clocking on...
Tonight at 9pm on BBC2, don't miss the beautiful story of Oliver Messel and Nymans in Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, Series 4: 6. Top Secret Seedlings: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002wb82 via BBC iPlayer.

The story tells of the acquisition and restoration of Oliver's painting of his sister, my grandmother. It is a delightful story and brings back happy memories.

29/04/2026

An unusual under dial layout on this lovely clock by John Pepys of London. Note the clever configuration of the single click spring for the barrel clicks. Also, the double tail on the rack for the quarters. Lastly, that interesting warning and stop lever interaction. Satisfyingly, this all works beautifully, or it will after I have repaired the broken tooth on the rack- a leftover of a poor previous repair.

05/04/2026

30/03/2026

Just doing a mini French carriage clock and found this cute little fella stamped on the underneath of the gong....

19/03/2026

This longcase clock may have had a particularly heavy weight, causing the winding arbour to drag down. To "overcome" this issue, somebody in the past attempted to close the hole by punching several holes on the inside of the plate to bulge the metal. This actually served to weaken the edge of the hole and considerably exacerbated the problem. So, to repair properly, I turned a nice big bush in the lathe and fitted it to the plate. Like a good b**r, this is a Proper Job!

03/10/2025

I've often heard it said that horologists are excellent recyclers. Here's some proof, on the underneath of a bracket clock rack spring by "Nathaniel Style, London" from around 1755. The brass appears to have been engraved with a "40" and may have been reclaimed from an old dial or used for engraving practice. Nath Style joined the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1725 and was a prominent London cl9ckmaker in the 18th century.