Sinclair Harding

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Brochure

British watch clock makers Logo AHCI Logo BHI Logo

History of Sinclair Harding (UK) Ltd

Sinclair Harding was originally founded by William Sinclair and Mike Harding (1967-1995) based in Cheltenham, England. During this time over 700 clocks were produced. In 1976 William Sinclair left the business but continued his passion for clock making and repair until his death in 2004. Mike Harding continued to work and developed the Perpetual Calendar and the popular Sea clock.

In 1975 Mike Harding worked alongside Tim Bazley in the development of the chiming movement followed by the Bracket clock and Three Train Fusee movement. Sinclair Harding engaged in a variety of public commissions including the Wishing Fish Clock in Cheltenham and a 7 Ages of Man Congreve Clock.

In 1995, looking for a new challenge, Robert Bray (Bob) was introduced to Mike Harding, by his Uncle Brian Kitson, also an engineer and clock enthusiast. The company was one week away from closing, with no orders and no workforce. Bob had four young children and no knowledge of clockmaking the challenge was daunting, undeterred it was then that he decided to take on the company and to redirect his skills to the art clock making – or as Bob described it to the BHI, – the Gearbox that works backwards.

Bob gala

From the start Bob’s simple goal was to be totally independent and capable of making every part for each clock. His aim was to make clocks that would bring a smile to his customers and be a joy to service by clock repairers in the future. The goal of making every part was realised in 2017, his customers always smile when seeing their clock for the first time, and only time will tell if the third aim will be achieved.

In 30 years, 1000 clocks later, Bob has been personally involved in or overseen the introduction of all the in-house capabilities:

Precious metal plating, Fusee chain making, manufacturing and hand tuning bells, French polishing, engraving and hand silvering of dials, Bluing of screws and hands, even mainspring manufacture – to name but a few.

Today, Sinclair Harding’s team are 11 strong (mainly family) and are all involved in many processes throughout the manufacturing. With our flexible team we continue to improve our efficiency and standards. With this intense process of craftsmanship results in a clock, which is aesthetically pleasing and reliable, with real soul and character that hopefully goes some way to ensuring a more certain future for English horology.

Bob

Bob Bray

Managing Director

Bob mainly now works on the designs and improvements, you will also find him making bases. He will dip in and out around the workshop just to make sure everything is just right.

"I was once discussing the price of one of or clocks with a client and I had to inform him that our prices were not over inflated and that it was he that was the millionaire and not me. I will never forget his response, he said...

'But Bob, to work doing something you love and with your family makes you the millionaire, I only have money'.

He was right.".

Caron Bray

Caron Bray

Company Secretary

Caron is involved in cleaning and inspecting parts, silvering dial and day to day admin.

Domonic Bray

Domonic Bray

Quality Control Manager

Domonic spends most of his time in polishing and electroplating, he is quality control inspector for the workshop and develops our finishing techniques.

Georgie green

Georgie Green

Business Development Manager

Georgie looks after sales, marketing and stock control ensuring the clocks are being produced are to the correct specifications for the orders.

Stuart Bray

Stuart Bray

Design and Production Manager

Stuart works closely with Bob on the designs for new ideas and improvements on our current clocks. He also manages the workshop and will be often working a machine especially on the complex prototypes.

Adrian Bray

Adrian Bray

Clockmaker

Adrian is our main clockmaker, he has been with us for over 22 years. He is mainly in our assembly but will also be found in polishing and in base making.

Simon Green

Simon Green

Production Engineer

Simon works the wire machine, milling machines and the day to day running of the workshop.

Jack Bray

Jack Bray

Production Engineer

Jack is an all-rounder, mainly he is works in the turning department, but he will also be working with the bells, fusee chains and sometimes will be polishing.

Ben Lyon

Ben Lyon

Engineer, Polisher and Base maker

Ben is another all-rounder he is mainly in polishing but will also be found in the workshop, in our assembly and finishing bases.

Oliver Barrass

Oliver Barrass

Apprentice Engineer

Oliver joined the team in August 2025, he is a watch enuthast and he is learning every aspect of our workshop while gaining his Engineering Level 2.

Laura Kershaw

Laura Kershaw

Parts Cleaner

Laura is involved in cleaning and inspecting parts after polishing, bluing screws and silvering dials.

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