Joyce of Whitchurch - Clockmakers 1690 - 1965


Authors: Steve & Darlah Thomas




This family firm made many types of clock during a period of almost 300 years. Initially clocks were created for a domestic settings, but it was their turret clocks, mostly produced during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that made the company’s name famous throughout the world.

In this book the authors have attempted to unravel the story of the company’s origins and to follow the Joyce clockmakers down through the generations to the time when, in 1965, there was no Joyce heir to enable the company to continue. All was not lost however, as the company has continued, with its own name, as part of the Smith of Derby Group.

The authors have tried to locate and photograph the full company product range; the book includes their turret clock chronology and over 1,500 illustations. It collates historical and horological information which has only existed previously in hundreds of different locations throughout this country and overseas.