A fine quality mahogany eight day longcase clock by Thomas Reid of Edinburgh c.1790

Maker: Thomas Reid (1746- 1831) was one of the most innovative and widely read horologists of the late 18th century. He is best known today for the excellent craftsmanship of his surviving clocks and the thoroughness of his 1825 "Treatise on Clock and Watch Making, Theoretical and Practical", which ran to six editions.
Date: 1790
Height: 223cm
Width: 45cm
Depth: 20cm
Price: Sold

Case

The mahogany case of typical Edinburgh design, with finely figured veneers to the shaped top trunk door. The base with a moulded panel effect and shaped bracket feet. The hood with locking glazed cast brass bezel, with shaped pediment, cast brass finial and cast brass silk lined sound frets to the sides. The original lock and brass hinges to the trunk door and hood bezel.

Dial

The circular painted white dial finely with bold Roman numerals and an outer minute circle. Subsidiary date and seconds zone to the dial centre, signed to the centre Thos Reid, Edinburgh.

Movement

The finely made movement by this eminent maker with Harrisons maintaining power is of eight day duration, the plates united by four knopped pillars, anchor escapement and striking the hours on a single bell.

The movement is fully restored by our horologist who works exclusively for us.
Our horologist is a Fellow of the British Horological Institute (FBHI), having 35 years of full time professional engagement in the repair & restoration of clocks, watches, music boxes & barometers. He was the recipient of the 1977 Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Bronze Medal.

Weights and pendulum

The original oval shaped cast weights and heavy original brass faced pendulum, with steel strap.

Hands

Fine quality original blued steel hands of elegant design.

Thomas Reid (1746- 1831) was one of the most innovative and widely read horologists of the late 18th century. He is best known today for the excellent craftsmanship of his surviving clocks and the thoroughness of his 1825 "Treatise on Clock and Watch Making, Theoretical and Practical", which ran to six editions.

He was apprenticed to his cousin, another great horologist, James Cowan in 1762 and when Cowan died in 1781, Reid returned from London to take over a thriving business. The Edinburgh Evening Courant of 28th November 1781 carries an advertisement for the confident 35 year old in which he states that he "...has for eleven years resided in London, where, after having received the instructions of the first masters of that profession, did carry on business and was employed in the execution of the first rate work there, he makes no doubt of giving entire satisfaction to his employers."

He was made an Honorary Freeman of the Clockmakers Company.

Reid undertook various public commissions including the new clocks at St. Andrews Parish Church, Edinburgh, and at St Giles Kirk. Precision timekeeping was a particular love for him and fine astronomical regulators by him are known at the Royal Observatory , Calton Hill, Edinburgh and at Kinfauns Castle (for the Right Honourable Lord Gray)

In 1806 he took his stepson, William Auld into partnership and on their retirement in 1823 they issued another advertisement in the Evening Courant: " Reid & Auld...particularly recommend their stock consisting of...some most excellent ..Spring Clocks (some of which are fitted up in a superior manner)...indeed the whole are such that, in all probablility, their like will not be met with soon again."