Following our welcome introduction to our new Horologist, Erin, We would like to showcase the amazing final project unveiled at Birmingham City University. A course completed over 3 years that led to her graduating and awarded a BA with honours in Horology.
Follow Erin’s journey throughout the design and building process, in her own words, and view the beautiful images of the end result.
This blog pertains to Faulkner – I, a clock which I have been designing since as early as October 2022, and the manufactured product submitted as my final year major project at Birmingham City University School of Jewellery, on the BA Horology Course. The brief for this final module is below:
“The goal is to produce a well-made, working horological mechanism that successfully shows and keeps the time. Your finished object can also show
your explorations in different manufacturing and finishing techniques as well as representing your technical understanding and abilities through the making of bespoke components.”
Faulkner – I is a carriage style Swiss Lever platform escapement clock, with inspiration taken from various skeleton clocks, as well as French Carriage Clocks. The idea for this project initially came from my second-year servicing module, in which I worked on a carriage clock made by French manufacturers Duverdrey et Bloquel established by Albert Villon, Paul Duverdrey, and Joseph Bloquel. Furthermore, I wished to incorporate the engine turning expertise of a good friend of mine who first got me into Horology, who works for Joshua Shapiro in California, manufacturing much of the dials produced there with use of Rose and Straight-Line Engines.
Later, I would take further inspiration from Skeleton clocks, and how they allowed a clear view of the mechanism within.
After some time, I had outlined the things that I wanted to include within Faulkner’s design.
- Plates made of highly polished brass.
- Dial made from sterling silver – a chapter ring with indices, an engine turned centre, and a sub seconds dial.
- A plaque at the bottom.
- A skeletonised back plate.
- A unique plate design.
- Striking functionality.
Over time, the core design of Faulkner was built up with the assistance of computer aided design (CAD), specifically Solidworks. I began work on the technical design of Faulkner much earlier than some of my
peers, the main factor behind this being my belief that while I may not possess the same practical skill as they did, I could offset this with thorough planning and precise execution.
The Final Design
In this, I feel I have had success, and have manufactured a working horological mechanism that shows the time, using traditional, and modern techniques, and employing different finishing methods to compliment the design. Each bespoke component (with some exceptions) has been produced in line with the design documentation I have cultivated over the past two years in BA Horology at BCU and feel I have successfully utilised the knowledge gained in specialist production techniques to meet the brief to the best of my ability.
Final images of Erin’s final project- Faulkner. 1.
All of this hard work and dedication to her craft has led Erin to a fantastic career in Horology. We look forward to her knowledge and expertise in all things clocks!
Please pop in and speak to us with any of your clock questions and queries. We are able to repair and restore many styles of clock, in-house.
