Thomas Tompion

Thomas Tompion (1639–1713) was an English clockmaker and instrument maker whose precision timepieces helped establish English clockmaking’s international reputation.

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Clock: A device that measures and displays time through a regulated mechanism. Tompion’s career centered on making clocks that measured time with exceptional precision.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich: An astronomical observatory founded in Greenwich, London, in 1675. Tompion supplied clocks for the observatory’s early scientific work.
Edward Bangerter: A London instrument maker who collaborated with Thomas Tompion. Bangerter worked with Tompion on scientific instruments and precision clocks.
English clockmaking: The tradition of designing and making clocks in England. Tompion is widely regarded as a founder of its modern reputation.
Pendulum clock: A clock regulated by the regular swings of a pendulum. Pendulum regulation underpinned many of Tompion’s most accurate clocks.
Royal Society: A British learned society founded in 1660 to promote scientific inquiry. Tompion made instruments and clocks for the society and its members.
George Graham: An English clockmaker and instrument maker who succeeded Thomas Tompion in his workshop. Graham continued Tompion’s business and became a leading horologist in his own right.
Clockmakers' Company: A London guild incorporated in 1631 to regulate the clockmaking trade. The company shaped the professional setting in which Tompion worked.
Balance spring: A spring that controls the oscillation of a watch’s balance wheel. Tompion adopted the balance spring in watches to improve their timekeeping.
Thomas Tompion longcase clock: A tall, floor-standing clock made by English clockmaker Thomas Tompion. His longcase clocks demonstrate the precision and refined construction associated with his workshop.