John Harrison, Breguet, Daniels: London Science Museum

GWIS · 2022-11-04T21:02:54Z

Explore the horological masterpieces of John Harrison, Breguet, and George Daniels at the London Science Museum. GWIS reviews H5, Daniels' Space Traveller's Watch, and the Co-Axial escapement's journey from Patek Philippe to Omega.

GWIS

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

24 replies3574 views12 photos

GWIS's insightful post offers a horological journey through London's Science Museum, highlighting the Clockmakers’ Museum's treasures. His detailed account and personal photography bring to life the groundbreaking work of John Harrison, the timeless elegance of Breguet, and the revolutionary genius of George Daniels. This article contextualizes why these historical figures and their inventions remain profoundly relevant to contemporary watchmaking and collecting.

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We took our daughter on a day trip to London and we visited the Science Museum. For those of you that haven’t been, I highly recommend it. The exhibits range from space travel and flight through to medicine and communications. However, of particular interest to WPS members, within the Science Museum is the Clockmakers’ Museum (which they believe is the oldest dedicated clock museum in the world). It houses some amazing pieces and here are some quick pictures of my favourites:

John Harrison

As many of you may know, in the 1700’s John Harrison won the largest of the rewards under the British Government’s Longitude Act for developing a series of 5 chronometers that were sufficiently accurate for sailors to be able to determine their longitude at sea. Harrison’s clocks helped revolutionise navigation, and therefore safety, at sea. Up until that point ships had an unfortunate and unplanned habit of crashing into land as a result of insufficiently accurate navigation! The brilliant book “Longitude”, by the American writer Dava Sobel, tells the full story.

The Clockmakers’ Museum has the fifth and final of Harrison’s chronometers - “H5”

Breguet

The main focus of the collection seems to be English clock and watchmaking but a few Breguets managed to find their way in. For those who are interested, and can get to London, apparently the Science Museum will be having a Breguet exhibition in 2023 but the specific dates have yet to be confirmed because they are still finalising the arrangements.

George Daniels

My favourite exhibits were the collection of George Daniels watches.

This Space Traveller’s Watch (on loan to the Museum) is a thing of incredible beauty, and credit to the owner for allowing the museum to put it on display and share it with everyone.

There were also some examples of his wristwatches on display, including the first watch to have a coaxial escapement - a Patek Nautilus! This one might be even more valuable than a Tiffany 5711! Picture courtesy of Hodinkee (I forgot to take a picture because I was in love with the Space Traveller’s Watch!).

An example of one of Daniel’s Millennium watches and an early Omega with a Coaxial escapement.

As I said, a visit to the Science Museum is definitely worth it, not least because admission is free (although a donation is recommended).

All the best,

Jon

Key Points from the Discussion

Patek Philippe initially declined George Daniels' Co-Axial escapement design, leading Omega to adopt it. This decision is often debated among collectors, with some speculating it was due to cost-cutting or a preference for established in-house movements.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus with the Co-Axial escapement, featured in the exhibition, was the first wristwatch to house Daniels' invention. George Daniels wore this prototype for a decade, demonstrating its reliability despite Patek Philippe's decision not to proceed with mass production.
George Daniels created two 'Space Traveller's Watches'. The second, more complicated version, is the one displayed at the museum and sold for $4.3 million in 2017, while the first sold for $4.6 million in 2019, underscoring their immense value and historical significance.
John Harrison's chronometers are foundational to modern navigation, with some collectors drawing parallels between his work on longitude and the principles behind contemporary GPS technology.
The Co-Axial escapement is a significant advancement in horology, with many collectors expressing pride in owning Omega watches featuring this Daniels innovation, noting its impact on accuracy and reliability.
The decision by Patek Philippe not to implement the Co-Axial escapement is a recurring point of discussion, with some collectors wondering if the brand regrets the choice, while others suggest it aligns with Patek's philosophy of maintaining specific in-house standards.
Beyond the Co-Axial, other modern innovations like Frederique Constant's monolithic silicium oscillator and Baume & Mercier's Baumatic movement are also recognized for pushing the boundaries of accuracy and power reserve in contemporary watchmaking.

The Discussion

enjoythemusic

Nov 4, 2022

Wow wow wow! Thanks for posting ❤️

FabR

Nov 4, 2022

Thanks for this very interesting report! Glad you enjoyed it.

AuHavrePro

Nov 4, 2022

Tremendously cool!

I read the John Harrison book last year, it's excellent. I've never previously heard of this 'Space Traveller's' watch by G.D., but it looks fascinating.... Much appreciate the high quality photographs! Cheers, Filip

GWIS

Nov 5, 2022

Thanks Filip.

I understand George Daniels made two Space Traveller’s watches. The first he was persuaded to sell but he missed it and so made himself another more complicated version, which is the one above. This Space Traveller 2 sold at auction, in 2017, for $4.3m. Space Traveller 1 was sold in 2019 for $4.6m. Obviously they don’t have the historical significance of the Harrison chronometers but the Space Travellers are very beautiful. All the best, Jon

andrea~

Nov 4, 2022

Incredible collection!

I'll surely visit once I am back in London

GWIS

Nov 5, 2022

Thanks Andrea - the whole museum is definitely worth a visit.