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A CLOCK WORTH $375,000?

Antique lovers and clock fanciers take note.

Would you believe that a clock could be worth 125 thousand English pounds, approximately $NZ375,000? An antique from the 15th or 16th century? Perhaps. A wonderful hand tooled Grandfather Clock in rosewood with a brass face? Maybe. In fact this is not an extremely rare antique but a modern clock completed only a few years ago. Even more amazing – there are two of them! They are Millennium Clocks.

This information was given to the staff of Claphams Clocks recently by Colin Walsh, a visitor to Whangarei from England and a distinguished member of the British Horological Institute.

Colin had planned to visit Claphams during his trip to New Zealand and was most interested in the variety of clocks and the story of the development of the museum. He was particularly impressed by the uniqueness of the collection. During his tour of the museum, Colin told the staff about the "Millennium Clocks."

He was one of a group of dedicated enthusiasts in England who made both clocks and presented one to the Queen and the nation while the other is displayed in the British Horological Institute's collection. This group consisted of over twenty volunteer workers and sponsors who contributed time or material to assemble these unique time pieces.

Each clock stands 450mm high with a frame in the shape of the letter "M" for the millennium. There are 11 jewels in the movement and the motor is powered by batteries in the base which in turn are charged from a solar cell fitted in the top of the case. The outside, including the case, is brass covered with 23 carat gold plate. The weight driven movement is electric, and the batteries re-charged by room lighting. The two clocks and their cases will have taken about three years and around 8,500 man hours to build. The total surface area is 8,500 cm squared and the gold plating cost 1,400 pounds sterling ($NZ 4,200) in material alone.

The actual value is difficult to establish but the best estimate is that each clock is worth 125 thousand English pounds or about $375,000 in our money.

It is fascinating to consider what each clock would be worth in the future.