Meet our skilled Horologists

Our friendly, personable team at The Clock Work Shop are all highly skilled professionals, specialising in the repair and restoration of antique clocks.

Simon Allen
Director

My name is Simon Allen, I am a proud freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, I am the Director of The Clock Work Shop and I am also a professionally trained Antiquarian Horologist. This is otherwise known as a Clockmaker who specialises in the repair and restoration of Antique Clocks.

As a child, I loved to take things apart, trying to understand how they would work. My most notable memory of this was at my grandmother’s house near Halstock, Dorset, when I must have only been about five years old. Her Hoover had stopped working, so I asked her if I could have a look at it to see how it worked and try to fix it, she obviously thought that she’d humour me and leave me with it to have a look at. What she didn’t expect was to find me half an hour later with the Hoover in what must have been at least 200 pieces!

Some years later, I moved to Dorchester where my step-father taught me the basics of how to mend clocks and then sell them in order to make some extra money, in addition to my mundane Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 job. I really enjoyed getting the clocks working and became more and more interested in pursuing this passion as a career.

I then wrote to the major players in the industry and subsequently got the opportunity to go and work for who I considered at the time to be the number one retailer in the world of antique clocks, Gerald. E. Marsh. Gerald has since become a true friend and is a great inspiration to me. He started at the very same shop aged 15 as an apprentice to Geoffrey Bell who founded the shop in 1947. He went on to buy the business in 1972 and help many people build a number of the best private clock collections in the world until in 2014 he sold the company.

Gerald took me on as his final apprentice and in my time at the shop, under his leadership, I made sure I learnt everything that I possibly could. I was the first apprentice to be approved for the George Daniels Educational Trust Scheme, which really was an honour. Since then, I have specialised in good quality English, French and Swiss antique clocks. I have completed specific training in platform escapements, watchmaker’s lathes, engineer’s lathes and replacing damaged pivots in clocks and watches. Also bluing, silvering and polishing.

My training was invaluable and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now, without the knowledge I have gained from the help that everyone gave me along the way.

Should you wish your beloved timekeeper to have a scheduled service, be repaired, restored or conserved in any way, you can rest assured that I really do know what I am doing and that here, it really is in the safest possible hands.

Our friendly, personable team at The Clock Work Shop are all highly skilled professionals, specialising in the repair and restoration of antique clocks.

Simon Allen
Director

Some years later I moved to Dorchester where my step-father taught me the basics of how to mend clocks and then sell them in order to make some extra money, in addition to my mundane Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 job. I really enjoyed getting the clocks working and became more and more interested in pursuing this passion as a career.

My training was invaluable and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now, without the knowledge I have gained from the help that everyone gave me along the way.

Richard Scorey

Richard runs our Hampshire workshop in Kings Worthy, Winchester. He joined the business in July 1998 and already had an engineering background. Richard gained graduate status when he completed the three year British Horological Institute examinations in technical horology and was accepted as a Professional Member of the British Horological Institute In 2009.

Ben Ledbury

Horologist Ben is one of our most valuable assets. After joining the company as an apprentice in September 2019. A chance encounter with Director Simon Allen lead Ben to pursue a career in horology. With a lifelong interest in how things work and a professional background in mechanics, the transition to clockmaking has been a smooth one.

Ben is a much valued member of the team who has developed a genuine passion within this unexpected career path. Today, he now plays a prominant role in managing our workshops.

Jess Yarham-Baker

Apprentice horologist Jess has been with us since October 2017. She has a great love of clocks which can be traced back to spending time with her horologist grandfather as a child. He introduced her to the techniques and skills that she is now honing through her apprenticeship. Jess has achieved a great deal during her time here, her hard work and attention to detail has lead to her becoming a pivotal member of the team.

Anne Hinxman

A gifted jewellery designer and maker, Anne has her own makers mark with the London Assay Office and also provides a professional re-threading service. Inspired by nature, ancient and antique jewellery design, Anne creates beautiful handcrafted items of Jewellery, a vast selection of which can be found in our showroom. She works with many stunning materials including gold, silver, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones.

Lewis Walduck

Lewis began his apprenticeship at the Clock Work Shop in January 2021 and is based in our Winchester workshop. Lewis looks back fondly on helping his dad with the running of a small antiques fair when he was just 13. This experience led to his love of antique clocks and he is now well on his way to fulfilling his ambition of becoming an Antiquarian Horologist.

Neal Simons

Neal has recently joined us after many years working within the clothing and design industries, with leather being his specialism. Originally from America, his first position upon moving to the UK was working for the late Alexander McQueen in London. He later progressed to designing and making pieces such as men’s tailored coats and jackets to bespoke traditional saddlery cases under his own label. His love of handmade British design and classical construction in his own work, led him to start collecting clocks; a hobby which has turned into the start of a very promising career in Antiquarian Horology.

Scott Bennet

Scott has worked as a Furniture Restorer and Cabinet Maker for over sixteen years and specialises in Antique Clock Case Restoration, Antique Fine Furniture Restoration and Cabinet Making. He trained at Rycote Wood College in Oxford, gaining a Higher National Diploma in Furniture Restoration and went on to work with several BAFRA accredited restorers as an apprentice.

Scott’s considerable experience and passion for restoration is more than evident in the flawless finish of his work, most of which can be seen in our showroom.

Richard Scorey

Ben Ledbury

Ben is a much valued member of the team who has developed a genuine passion within this unexpected career path. Today, he now plays a prominant role in managing our workshops.

Jess Yarham-Baker

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Anne Hinxman

Lewis Walduck

Neil Simons

Scott Bennet

Scott’s considerable experience and passion for restoration is more than evident in the flawless finish of his work, most of which can be seen in our showroom.

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Find us

Visit our large Showroom in the heart of Abbotsbury

Long Case Clocks

Bracket Clocks

Carriage Clocks

Wall Clocks

Mantel Clocks

Barometers

Barographs

Antiques & Jewellery

Repair Specialists

The repair and servicing of antique clocks require specialist skills that have been developed over many generations. Traditionally these skills are passed on from Master to Apprentice and we now have our own team of artisans specialising in various different areas of horology.

Restoration

Our restorers at The Clock Work Shop are highly trained specialists in antiquarian horology. Understanding the original style and appearance of a clock in order to accurately bring it back to its former glory.

Repair Specialists

Restoration

Simon, the longcase clock arrived at my house in the US unharmed, in perfect condition and is absolutely gorgeous. The workmanship and craftsmanship surpassed my expectations and I am proud to display this wonderful timepiece in my home.

J K

Absolutely fascinating antique shop that specialises in the sales, repair and restoration of antique clocks and furniture. Visited several times when we were in Abbotsbury and ended up falling in love with one of their beautiful long case clocks - an 1815 Watkins of Abergavenny clock. The staff were really helpful and even allowed us to take more time to pay the final balance. The clock was thoroughly checked and serviced before being delivered, free of charge, to our house in January 2022. They made sure the clock was working well before leaving, gave us some helpful tips on how to adjust the clock if necessary and offered to help if anything went wrong with it, which it hasn't so far. This place is full of very talented specialists, who really love the clocks they work with and have incredible knowledge. I would recommend 'The Clock Work Shop to everyone. We absolutely love our clock, it looks beautiful in our house and the sound of the mechanism is really homely and comforting. We can't imagine being without it now.

Anne Quinn

What a great place this is! We bought a French Ormolu Clock serviced and guaranteed for 3 years. It’s now in it’s new home keeping good time and striking on the hour with a beautiful bell. All the team are super knowledgable and helpful. Thank you so much always wanted this type of clock. Sue & Geoff.

Geoff Findlay

We found The Clock Work Shop a very professional business. The staff were highly motivated and keen and that includes two apprentices. Repairing and servicing our clocks was carried out successfully to a very high standard. The follow up is good and the work is guaranteed. Although the repairing and servicing takes a long time, the estimate of the time frame was accurate. When we collected our clock, we found a very well stocked show room with lots of wonderful clocks and we ended up buying one of these clocks! We have no hesitation in recommending The Clock Work Shop in Abbotsbury to potential customers.

Hilary Cunningham

Simon and his team offer a superlative service for anything to do with clocks. You might be mistaken for thinking that such professionalism would be hard to find outside of a city, but they're here in rural Dorset. The Clock Work Shop expertly repaired and restored a neglected long case clock which had come down through my family and just seeing it and hearing it each day gives me such pleasure. I can highly recommend this company.

Judy Norman

Having visited the workshop a few times over the years and enjoyed the wealth of knowledge that the team were happy to share, we found a clock that suited our needs. Simon went to great lengths to get the clock set up and adjusted in-situ. It fits the bill perfectly and has been a welcome addition to the home.

alex petrie

I have bought a long-case clock for myself and a barograph as a gift to my parents from The Clock Work Shop within about a year of each other. I really couldn't be happier with the service I received, and in particular the lengths Simon and his colleagues went to in order to help me find the appropriate piece, and then to travel to install them both in separate locations (included, as I recall, within the price). I think it is worth saying that there is a real premium to be had from The Clock Work Shop's expertise, in that I have bought other instruments from organisations without this level of specialist expertise, and there have so often been technical defects and other problems. In short, I can't commend The Clock Work Shop more highly, and I would encourage anyone interested in buying the kind of antique instruments they sell to look them up.

Catherine H

We spent a little while searching for a long-case clock and found some of interest at the Clock Work Shop. We visited their showroom in Dorset where we were shown around by one of the team. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and allowed us to browse on our own too. A few weeks later we chose a clock in our price range and arranged the purchase. The clock was checked and prepared and we were glad things were being done properly. Our clock was delivered and installed as agreed and has run faultlessly, we are very pleased with it. The service from the Clock Work Shop was exemplary and we highly recommend them.

Mark Wheadon

I have a long history of appreciating the skills and workmanship of craftsman from the past. Recently, while searching for a period grandfather Clock, I discovered The Clock Work Shop. Among their inventory was a beautiful long case clock made by John Hargrave of Sleaford. Simon of The Clock workshop assured me as skilled horologists they take pride in restoring fine clocks from the past. He also informed me they would take a few months to carefully inspect the mechanics and cabinet making any needed adjustments or repairs prior to shipping to me in the U.S. My Clock arrived safely in greatworking order. What a great group of professionals preserving treasures of the past to be enjoyed and admired now and in the future. I plan to look to the clock work shop again for another fine clock.

john chambless

I cannot fault the craftsmanship and customer service of The Clock Work Shop - Dorset. My long case clock has been in my family for 3 generations. I remember my father finding it difficult to find a competent horologist to maintain it, so I was so pleased to discover Simon and his team. They are true experts and nothing is too much trouble. I can wholeheartedly recommend them.

Melissa Derricourt

Our friendly, personable team at The Clock Work Shop are all highly skilled professionals, specialising in the repair and restoration of antique clocks.