Nothing can surpass the dominance and premier reputation of a company called “Thwaites & Reed” in the world of British antique clocks. Since its establishment, Thwaites & Reed preserved its symbolic image of being the world’s oldest clock manufacturing company based in the UK.
One of the world’s greatest antique clocks, literally called the “Great Clock,” is still extant and can be located at the Palace of Westminster. With all its glory in the field of horology, Thwaites & Reed was behind the making of the Great Clock. The clock, among others, fixed the company at the center of the clockmaking industry since its inception.
Behind all the success stories of the Thwaites & Reed company was man called John Thwaites, a famous clockmaker who made his own in the clockmaking industry in the early 17th century. John Thwaites, however, owed the establishment of Thwaites & Reed to his extended family, Aynsworth Thwaites. It was because of Aynsworth that John Thwaites was able to establish the company in Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell, London, where the company operated between 1740 and 1780.
For a time, it was Aynsworth Thwaites who lead the company between 1780 and 1816 but he was succeeded by John Thwaites. During his time as head of the company, John Thwaites partnered with George Jeremiah Reed. The outcome of such partnership, obviously, led to the creation of “Thwaites & Reed.” John Thwaites continued to assume leadership of the company until 1842. He was also a member of the Cloclmakers Company in 1815, 1819, and 1820.
Several of Thwaites & Reed earliest creation, which are now among the world’s priced collectible antique clocks, are still used. One of them is a turret clock for Horseguards Palace, which John Thwaites started to work on in 1740 and completed in 1786. It was also Thwaites who was credited for the building of British East India Company’s domestic long-clock.
Thwaites & Reed eventually welcomed the thought of outsiders working for the company in 1978. A disastrous takeover initiated by the British government however took place in 1969, during which the government assumed managerial control of Thwaites & Reed. There were also progressive movements made by the government when it implemented points leading to the modernization of the company.
Evidence in horology proved that even until today, Thwaites & Reeds continues to be a leader in creating and preserving collectible clocks and British antique clocks. Its expertise in the field can no longer de denied especially in its maintenance of the world’s significant clocks.
Thwaites & Reed also continues to assume its place in the clock-making industry by delivering high-quality service to antique clock collectors. Its pursuit of scientific advancement for the purpose of advancing horology is also evident in its conservation of and reconditioning services to antique clocks. Parts of clocks such as the dials and hands were changed, painted, and renovated. Bells and chimes were also restored to preserve these clocks.
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