He was a maker of Swiss antique clocks who was most commonly known as John Francis Hobler. He was a watchmaker who first became well known making clocks in Soho Square in England. His workshop, which was based in Newport Market in London, was where he spent most of his time by creating watches that was not only timeless, but also admired by many because of the endless beauty they portray. He was originally from Switzerland but moved to London to pursue his dreams of making clocks. Unfortunately, little is known as to whether he moved to London as a teenager with dreams of being well known, or as an adult, who had fixed goals and was focused into attaining it. Due to lack of information and reliable sources, there are no data regarding the places where he apprenticed and when these events occurred. What was known, however, was that he moved to London and married in 1753. He later began making beautiful watches on 1761 onwards. He signed his creations as J.Fra Hobler, as certain evidences suggested.
Unfortunately, even with overflowing talents, he was not a part of the Clockmaker’s Company, or any other clock membership and congregations for that matter. It was more appropriate to regard, out of respect for the abundant talent that he possessed, that he was driven with passion to pursue the career he loved the most, rather than be occupied with the ideals of different clock congregations regarding the art of making time pieces. His son, however, who was also a gifted clockmaker as newsworthy as his father, was made an honorary freeman in 1770 by the the Clockmaker’s Company.
It was said that his son was offered the honorary freeman award not just because he was the child of a famous and gifted clockmaker, but was also due to the fact that he not only had the talent and passion like his father but also the position that could be of great influence to clockmakers and consumers alike.
What made his watches unique were the excellent quality in which he blended the traditional techniques in watch making as well as the Huguenot silver techniques. His style, comparable to the Victorian era, wanted to capture the beauty of one’s culture and mix it with the modernity of the present time in which he lived. Fortunately, he succeeded in doing so and was now acknowledged as one of the best in his time. He is now considered as an inspiration to the millions of people who have the passion of making time pieces like him.
What was best was that he was not only a creator of these famous Swiss antique clocks, he was also the mentor of some of the famous clockmakers like Thomas Lewis and Laurent Little. His influence extended to the people who regarded his works as one would gaze over a beautiful work of art, with great admiration for a person who was able to capture a lasting moment through his creativity and passion for the work he so adored.