F. W. Elliott
of 105 Hatton Garden, London, EC1 - Showroom. Factory: Union Road, West Croydon. Telephone: Holborn 1954. Cables: "Elclocks, Smith, London". (1929)
Ditto Address and Cables. Telephone: Holborn 5141. (1947)
1865 James Jones Elliott of 156 Cheapside in the City of London, was apprenticed to "Bateman" of 82 St John Street, Smithfield, London to learn the art of clock making. It was not obvious at the time, but this was to be the origin of a company that would achieve a worldwide reputation as a manufacturer of the fine quality Elliott of London clock. J. J. Elliott specialised initially in producing pinions and balance shafts, progressing to making, and patenting, a weight driven movement that had chimes on tubes. The success of this original Elliott clock resulted in considerable trade with America.
James Elliott's son, Frank Westcombe Elliott, entered the retail trade at the age of 17. It was at this time that his father bought a partnership with a jeweller called Walden of Brompton Road, London.
1904 J. J. Elliott died and his son Frank succeeded him to run the clock making business.
1909 The clockmaker's company of J. J. Elliott amalgamated with Grimshaw Baxter, forming Grimshaw, Baxter and J. J. Elliott.
1911 The factory moved to Grays Inn Lane, London.
1917 A further move to larger premises in St. Ann's Road, Tottenham, London.
1921 The partnership with Grimshaw Baxter was dissolved and Frank Elliott joined a well-known firm of Bell Founders and Clockmakers, Gillett and Johnston, in Croydon.
1923 He took over their clock factory and formed the famous company of F. W. Elliott. His two sons, Leonard and Horace Elliott, who had served their apprenticeships in the trade, joined him.
1929 The third son, Ronald, joined the company.
1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Clocks, including Clock Cases and Clock Movements for all purposes specially made for export to all parts of the world. Clocks in lacquer and fancy woods, with Chimes. Reproductions. (Stand Nos. J.37 and J.60) [1]
World War II. Elliott's started to produce clocks for the armed forces when war was declared in 1939, together with test gear and apparatus for the Rolls Royce engines used in the RAF planes. Incendiary bombs hit the factory during 1943 on two occasions but production was not seriously affected.
1944 Frank Elliott died at the age of 69 and Horace Elliott assumed the role of Managing Director, whilst Leonard controlled sales from a showroom in Hatton Garden.
1947 Listed Exhibitor British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Fine Quality Clocks, Bracket Chiming and Striking Clocks, Eight-day Lever Timepieces, Wall Clocks. Antique Reproductions a speciality. (Olympia, Ground floor, Stand No. D.1691) [2]
1952 Horace Elliott was elected Chairman of the British Horological Institute in the same year as Tony, one of Horace's sons, joined the company after training in cabinet making. He was appointed manager of the cabinet shop in 1967.
1966 Ronald Elliott died suddenly, at the age of 54, his son Peter had joined the company in January of the same year, having been trained as an engineer at Vickers Instruments.
1969 Peter Elliott was appointed as a Director.
F. W. Elliott of London clocks range from the timepiece Elliott clocks, through strike Elliott clocks to full Westminster and Whittington chiming Elliott clocks. Each Elliott clock has been hand made to a high specification and has an eight-day mechanical movement, making them one of the best clocks in the world.
See Also
- [1] Rarity4u Website