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 Longcase clock, Perpetual Calendar and the popular Sea 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.
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