Girard Perregaux

A memorial to John Harrison in London, with Dava Sobel and Stefano Macaluso

 

GP Sea Hawk II ref. 49910 "To John Harrison"


John Harrison memorial plate



Dear enthusiasts,

Friday, 24th March of 2006, was a special day in London.
In presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, one of the greatest watchmakers of the British history and maybe one of the most important watchmakers ever finally received the honour he deserved and a memorial at Westminster Abbey.




the program at Westminster Abbey

Like probably no one before and few later, John Harrison influenced the technology of precision timekeeping in a most remarkable way. Without his long efforts, which span more than 4 decades, the word "Marine Chronometer" wouldn?t be the synonym for highly accurate timekeepers.

Born on March 24, 1695 in Foulby/Yorkshire, John Harrison started to create unique and highly precise clocks at the age of 23; being a talented carpenter, it is no surprise several of his clocks bear wooden movement parts and wheels. In 1736, his first precision clock to be used on a naval vessel was ready to embark and to amaze the sailing crew by a timekeeping capabilities unheard of before.
Alas, John Harrison did not rest until 1761, when his most famous clock "H4" broke all tmekeeping records previously known.

To read more about the live and achievements of John Harrison, as well as his famous clocks, please feel kindly invited to read Mark?s informative article on this legendary watchmaker: click here to get magically transported there.



In order to commemorate his tremendous efforts and achievements, past Friday a stone plate was unveiled in Westminster Abbey; from this day on, it will remind of John Harrison in the same way another plate nearby does so of George Graham and Thomas Tompion, two other legends of the british watchmaking history.



This event took place under the patronage of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers



The formal unveiling of the commemorative plate took place in Westminster Abbey; among the guests HRH Prince Philipp, but watch journalists, authors and VIP guests either.
A very special guest was Dava Sobel, author of the famous book "Longitude" which describes John Harrison and the challenges of his work.


Westminster Abbey


Dava Sobel

The ceremony was followed by lectures including Dava Sobel



and a grand gala dinner with invited VIP guests.

Girard-Perregaux pays tribute to John Harrison with a dedicated model of the Sea Hawk II, called "To John Harrison" and thus the brand was represented well and with good reasons. Stefano Macaluso (and a great Agent who prefers to remain unnamed) participated in the celebrations.




right: James Gurney (QP Magazine editor)


left: Nick Foulkes, right: Sefano Macaluso

Certainly it is with all the good reasons one can think of this remarkable and legendary watchmaker finally receives the honour he deserves! 200 years after his death, still today his creations are proof of his genious, which will continue to have a special place in the community of watchmakers.


GP Sea Hawk II ref. 49910 "To John Harrison"

With thanks to GP Switzerland for the information and pictures!

Greetings from germany,

Peter