The company also offered marine installations, outfitting ocean liners such as RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line with electric clocks that told the same time on every deck, and exported its timekeeping systems all over the world.
Industrial clocks since 1895
Synchronome started making electric clock systems for British industry in the late 19th century. Now the classic dial designs are available as domestic wall clocks in modern colourways, with quartz movements that are battery powered and easy to maintain.
Synchronome today
From 1898 Synchronome was based in London's Clerkenwell, then Alperton in the 1930s, and Wiltshire in the 1960s. Today our clocks are made on the English-Welsh border, at Hay-on-Wye.
view the collectionA rich timekeeping heritage
Synchronome built clocks for factories, railways, observatories, newspaper offices, hotels and hospitals across Britain. Clients included the BBC, Selfridges, Harrods, Liberty, Rowntree's, Cunard, Vickers, Army & Navy Stores, the London Underground and The Times.
Synchronome rules the waves
Synchronome clocks at the British Museum
Clocks and watches occupy rooms 38-39 of the British Museum in London. There you will find an original Synchronome master clock connected to a pair of dials, quartz-driven recreations of which are available here...
Buy a museum clock
The Einstein connection
Synchronome founder Frank Hope-Jones crossed paths with Albert Einstein during a 1935 tour of the United States. While in Philadelphia, Hope-Jones was presented with an award by The Franklin Institute and gave a talk that was attended by Einstein. The two men, who shared a fascination with time, met on board the Queen of Bermuda a few weeks later and the friendly encounter was captured on film by a fellow passenger.
frank hope-jones as a child, taken around 1872
cover of the first synchronome brochure, 1895
vintage Metal and enamel synchronome pin badge
Promotional flyer for one of frank's books, 1949
Vintage Synchronome clocks Ronson 'standard' lighter
"Stands the Church clock at ten to three? And is there honey still for tea?"
Rupert Brooke