Worshipful Company of Clockmakers

Large clocks for churches were made by blacksmiths, therefore early clockmakers belonged to the Blacksmiths' Company. A separate Clockmakers Company received their charter in 1631. The Company also has ordinances dating from 1631/2. A prize is given annually to the best horological student.

The Board of Longitude had been established in 1714 by Act of Parliament to award a prize for the reliable judgement of longitude, and John Harrison (with the help of his son William, 1728-1815) completed a number of longitude time keepers and watches to ultimately win the prize.