The British Museum
Explore / Galleries
AD 1300 – present
Opening in late 2008
Mechanical clocks were invented in Western Europe in the medieval period and were first used in cathedrals and churches. Room 39 traces their development from these earliest examples to complex and highly decorative domestic clocks, marine chronometers, mass-market designs and modern precision time-keeping.
Cassiobury Park turret clock, AD 1610 More information
Cassiobury Park turret clock, AD 1610
Experimental table clock by Thomas Mudge, AD 1754 More information
Experimental table clock by Thomas Mudge, AD 1754
Carillon clock with automata by Isaac Habrecht, AD 1589 More information
Carillon clock with automata by Isaac Habrecht, AD 1589
Carriage clock by Breguet et Fils, AD 1822 More information
Carriage clock by Breguet et Fils, AD 1822
Many of the hundreds of exhibits on display are working and can be heard ticking, striking and chiming the hours.
The story of the watch will also be traced from the early sixteenth century to modern quartz precision and radio-control.
See this gallery on the floor plan
Astronomical compendium
Roman writings from the British frontier, £12.99
Explore the cultures of the world in UK museums on the World Timelines website.
