Posts In: News

Our apprentices to restore historic Harrison clock

December 15, 2017 Heritage, News, Public, Time, Traditional

Derby Museums and Smith of Derby are delighted to announce a partnership project that will see the historic Harrison clock, formerly of Derby Guildhall, removed from Derby Silk Mill and restored to working condition by apprentices at Smith of Derby. This exciting project has the dual benefit of training up future clockmakers and maintainers while safeguarding the future of one of the museum’s, and Derby’s, most significant treasures. The project will also see the nationally-significant Whitehurst I turret clock removed to Smith of Derby for safe keeping and display during the course of the Silk Mill’s £16.4m renovation to become…

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Keeping Public Time behind London’s mechanical clocks

December 14, 2017 News, Public, Time

Nick Whitworth, a filmmaker with an interest in clock making, approached our clockmaking company to see if we would be able to work together to highlight the mechanical clock work behind some of London’s most beautiful landmarks. The film follows Matthew Smith, one of Smith of Derby’s longest-serving clockmakers, as he carried out alterations on mechanical clocks across London, including clock mechanisms at St. Paul’s Knightsbridge and Westminster Abbey. Many of us know that the clocks change twice a year to account for Daylight Saving Time but few are probably aware of just what this entails. Behind the dials and hands visible from street level there are…

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The clock is ticking – ‘time to boost apprenticeships’ says The Guardian

November 20, 2017 News, Public, Time

Read The Guardian’s story about the importance of investing in skills and apprenticeships, featuring a recent visit to our clockmaking company and our commitment to apprenticeships. The article highlights our commitment to apprenticeships and a couple of nice quotes from our young clockmakers. If you are looking for a career in clockmaking and would like to learn on the job whilst getting paid, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!              

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Luxury Interior Clock for Harrods Roast & Bake Hall

November 17, 2017 Creative, News, Public, Time

Here you might wish to linger a little longer than normal for a coffee break. The monumental transformation of the historic Harrods Food Halls is underway, and the first phase – the Roastery and Bake Hall – is now open. Aptly described as a taste revolution the new destination provides the ultimate sanctuary for food lovers to see and smell, touch and taste. And it is worth not being in too much of a hurry as the surroundings may be enjoyed as much as what is on offer. At the heart of the Art Deco inspired refurbishment is a new Smith…

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New External Clocks for LSQ London Offices and Retail Space in Leicester Square

November 8, 2017 Creative, News, Public

Smith of Derby build, install and maintain architectural and landmark public clocks, with our work spread throughout the UK as well as worldwide. Our family of clock making companies includes four of the most reputable names in British Horology with centuries of experience in making and restoring public time. At 48 Leicester Square we have worked with Make Architects to supply and install the set of four 1.6m diameter illuminated clocks which crown each corner of the building. Each bronze effect case houses a synchronous drive timekeeping unit and low-energy lighting in the form of LEDs. The timekeeping units are interlinked to…

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We’re changing our logo: About our redesign

September 21, 2017 Heritage, News, Public, Traditional

Written by Joe Smith, Director & 5th Generation Smith Family. Over the last year we have been designing a fresh “face” to the world. Actually four fresh faces – for our long standing clockmaking companies: J B Joyce of Whitchurch, James Ritchie of Edinburgh, William Potts of Leeds, and John Smith & Sons of Derby. Ours is a rich heritage that dates right back to the 1690’s and we are reflecting this through a common identity theme, perpetuating the individual company names as well as their traditional hand and dial designs. This means we’ll have new brand identities with the…

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Smith of Derby, Rolls Royce & JCB on the #ICTP2017 Industry Tour

September 21, 2017 News, Public

We are thrilled to be hosting a visit from delegates attending the ICTP Conference in Cambridge this Friday, 22nd September. The industry tour is coming to our clock company after visiting Rolls-Royce Aerospace and JCB, and will include leading engineers, academics and other practitioners. ICTP, the ‘Olympic games of metal forming’ was founded in 1984 and is one of the biggest international events in forming technology. The 12th ICTP, the first to be held in the United Kingdom, builds on a long tradition of excellence from all over the world. Bob Betts, our Managing Director said: “We’re delighted to be selected for the ICTP industry tour and we’re looking forward to…

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Our investment in clockmaking apprentices with Chesterfield College

September 20, 2017 Heritage, News, Traditional

Over the Summer period Learning Unlimited, part of Chesterfield College Group, visited our clock company to take video footage of our clock making apprentices. Take a look at the video and many thanks to Lisa at Chesterfield College for sharing!      

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6th Generation of Family Clock Company learn the ropes…

September 11, 2017 News, Public, Time

We’re excited to welcome three members of our Smith Family, Nick, Claire and Stas, to our Derby clock company works this week. Here Nick reflects on the start of their week… Claire, Stas and I have donned our polo shirts and safety boots this week and have joined our regional clockmakers on the road and in the Derby factory to learn more about our family business. While the three of us are currently pursuing careers in Design, Geography and Filmmaking, we are keen to be more involved in the family business and learn as much as we can about what it takes to…

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Archive Records Expanding

August 8, 2017 Heritage, News, Uncategorized

Clock manufacture and installation is no new thing and our large historic database at Smith of Derby would certainly testify to this. With an extensive back catalogue of clocks, manufactured and maintained across many decades, we have been keen to ensure our database is kept up to date and that no clock is left un-oiled for too long! Nicholas Smith, our Archivist and past Chairman, has been working hard to make contact with those who are aware of clocks and timepieces in their community and who might have historical information to share on these important public pieces. Since the first letters of enquiry went out…

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