https://www.queenslandclocksandwatches.com/

Queensland Clocks & Watches, Rocklea Showgrounds Cnr Ipswich Road & Goburra St, Rocklea (2026)

09/05/2025

The Leyland Clock Story - David Raeburn
🔧🕰️ A Clock That Drove Through History – Now Fully Restored!

In the 1930s, Leyland Motors installed eight towering clocks along major UK roads to promote their brand with the slogan “Leyland Motors For All Time.” These iconic timepieces, created by William Potts & Sons, combined roadside advertising with practical public service.

One such clock – originally erected in Yorkshire, later moved to Durham, and eventually shipped to Australia – ended up in a paddock near Melton after decades of neglect. Incredibly, it survived with much of its mechanism intact, including its Royal Coat of Arms.

Now lovingly restored by David, former owner of the Bairnsdale Clock & Watch Museum, this six-metre-high marvel features its original Brunswick Green finish, newly fabricated panels, refurbished dials, and even modern LED lighting matched to its historic design.

🔩 A rare survivor of industrial advertising and clockmaking, it proudly stands once again— a tribute to British craftsmanship and Australian dedication.

📸 Stay tuned as we also spotlight the “Monk’s Clock,” another museum gem!

09/05/2025

📣 Have You Visited Our Website Lately?
We’d love you to drop by and take a fresh look — and while you're there, feel free to share your thoughts! Whether it’s spotting a broken link or submitting your own photos of clocks and timepieces, your contributions help keep the site vibrant and growing.

🔧 Don’t miss the “2025 Updates” section — Trevor’s been hard at work posting new insights and photos from recent workshops.

🗓️ Planning to attend one of our events? The “Calendar” section lists all workshops for the year, including our next gathering on May 10, featuring a special focus on Brisbane Synchronome clocks.

📸 The “Snapshots” section is regularly updated too — Trevor is always adding fresh content, including personal photos of public clocks and unique finds.

✨ NEW FEATURE: The Snapshots page now includes update links on the right-hand side, making it easier to jump between stories. Just hover over the dots to preview each section’s title!

👏 A huge thanks to Trevor for keeping everything up to date — excellent work as always!

🕰️ Did You Know?
That tiny pocket inside the right front pocket of your Levi jeans wasn’t made for coins — it was designed to hold a pocket watch!

📅 First appearing in 1873, this “watch pocket” was part of Levi Strauss’s original design — a snug, protective spot for a fob watch worn on a chain. Though largely unused today, it’s a nostalgic nod to the past, still stitched into jeans more than 150 years later.

📷 Pictured is a Swiss-made D. F. & Co. pocket watch — just the type that would’ve slipped neatly into that small pocket.

🔍 For more info and photos, head over to the ‘Watches’ section on our Snapshots page.

09/05/2025

🕰️ From the Library: A Classic Guide to Clockmaking Craftsmanship 🕰️

If you're passionate about horology, this timeless volume deserves a place on your shelf.

📘 Title: Clockmaking: Past and Present
📅 Published: August 2010 by Slusser Press (232 pages)
📚 Library Number: 264
📖 ISBN: 978-1445518961

Originally a vintage publication, this expertly republished edition brings together rich historical insight and practical knowledge. It includes extensive material from Lord Grimthorpe's renowned work Clocks, Watches, and Bells, especially his seminal writings on turret clocks and gravity escapements.

Far more than just a reprint, this book offers a complete guide to the art and science of clockmaking—from inner mechanics to historical evolution. Whether you're a collector, a restorer, or just curious about how timekeeping devices have been crafted over the centuries, it’s a must-have reference.

🔧 Covers:
• History of clockmaking
• Detailed inner workings and construction
• Artistic and technical elements
• Legacy of British horology

🧭 Though first written many years ago, its content is as relevant today as ever, offering invaluable insights for both seasoned horologists and curious newcomers.

A worthy addition to any clock lover's library!

09/05/2025

📘 From the Library: A Must-Have for Smiths Clock Collectors 🕰️

If you're a collector, dealer, or enthusiast of Smiths clocks, here's a rare gem worth tracking down:
Smiths Domestic Clocks and Timers – 2nd Edition”
(Pierhead Publications, 2008).
ISBN: 978-1904661054
📚 209 pages of pure horological gold!

Though hard to find, this reference book is one of the most comprehensive visual archives of Smiths clocks available—featuring over 2,150 fully indexed photos to help identify, date, and name a vast range of models.

It opens with a concise history of Smiths, one of the UK’s most prolific clockmakers of the 20th century. Historical factory photos, catalogue extracts, and corporate records help paint a fuller picture of the brand’s legacy.

🔍 A quick-reference dating guide is included, though some users may find it a little tricky that electric and mechanical models aren't separated in the main index. Since certain case designs were produced with different movements, this adds a layer of detective work. Thankfully, a table at the back clarifies what movement types were used in each design.

Author acknowledgements include Henry Weiland and the NAWCC Library for sourcing valuable reference material—yet another reason this book stands on solid scholarly ground.

✅ Overall: If you love Smiths, find this book. It’s an indispensable companion for anyone serious about collecting or restoring these classic British timepieces.

Would you like a visual post design or Instagram version next?

09/05/2025

🕰️ Ghost Signs, Lost Stores, and a Rescued Clock: Peapes Returns from the Past

Sydney’s busy George Street recently gave up a secret—one hidden for over 50 years. During demolition work at the Wynyard Place development, workers uncovered a rare “ghost sign” on a wall: a faded painted advertisement for Peapes, the once-famous gentlemen’s department store that served Sydney’s elite for over a century.

Founded in 1866, Peapes (originally Peapes & Shaw) was no ordinary retailer. It was a landmark destination for men’s fashion, proudly Australian with its trademark “Warrigal” brand—symbolised by a dingo and the Southern Cross—to reflect quality, craftsmanship, and national pride. From finely tailored suits to travel accessories, hats, and even to***co, Peapes was the last word in early 20th-century style.

Its grand building, constructed in 1922, was an architectural gem: marble, jarrah wood, mezzanines, and even a quiet lounge for customers to write letters or hold meetings—like a private club, just for shoppers. Peapes closed its doors in 1971, but a small part of its legacy quietly ticked on…

Enter Trevor H., who rescued one of Peapes’ original Seth Thomas clocks—an American-made timepiece once mounted on every floor of the store. Purchased from a former Peapes window dresser just after the closure, Trevor’s clock once kept time in the store’s basement dispatch centre. He lovingly restored it after decades of wear: rebuilding the movement, repairing the case, and bringing the old dial back to life.

The result? A beautifully preserved piece of Sydney’s retail and horological history.

The rediscovery of the ghost sign—and the restoration of this clock—reminds us how much of Sydney’s story still lies beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered. From ghost signs to vintage clocks, these quiet survivors help us reconnect with a time when craftsmanship, style, and service were proudly on display—on every floor.

09/05/2025

🕰️🌅 Introducing the Rosenbusch “Horizon” – Where Earth Meets Sky (and Swiss Mechanics Meet German Design) 🇩🇪✨

Another Kickstarter debut, and this one comes from Rosenbusch, the independent German watchmaker making quiet waves in the world of mechanical timepieces. Their new release? The “Horizon” collection - a modern take on minimalist elegance that’s versatile enough for city days, weekend escapes, or just admiring over coffee.

👀 First Impressions?
At first glance, these watches might seem plain—but look a little closer and you’ll spot what sets them apart: a 39.5mm hexagonal case, gentle curvature, and a clean aesthetic that’s more understated sophistication than flashy statement. Powered by a Sellita SW210 Swiss manual movement, they’ll appeal to those who appreciate winding their own watch and watching it through a sapphire caseback.

🛠️ Specs That Matter:

- Manual-wind Swiss SW210 (45Hr power reserve, Geneva stripes, ±7s/day)
- 39.5mm case | Only 9.8mm thick at centre
- 100m water resistance + sapphire crystal
- Four dial colours + premium deployant clasp

🎨 Four Characterful Variants:
🔹Urban Blue - metallic brushed dial, denim strap, perfect for city life
🟠 Copper Sun - warm brushed dial, gunmetal accents, bold but wearable
⚪ Canvas White - soft linen-textured dial, calm and classic
⚫ Black Pearl (my favourite) - Ultra-deep Musou Black dial, no date, no text—just silence and shadow

💸 Price:
Retail: AU$2,000
Kickstarter launch: AU$1,400 (30% off with international shipping included)

⌚ Why It Matters:
In a world of over-connected smartwatches and bloated feature sets, Rosenbusch is offering a return to pure mechanical craftsmanship—with enough design flair to keep things interesting. [For the energy conscious among us, they consume no power.]

They made their name with the Quest collection in 2023, and Horizon is the next step in their journey: modern, thoughtful, and refreshingly analogue.

📍 Based in Munich and founded by three horology diehards, Rosenbusch has built a loyal following—and this release may just widen that circle.

Would you wear one? Or is the hand-wind/manual revival just a niche pleasure?

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09/05/2025

🕰️📵 The Return of the Alarm Clock – And It’s Smarter Than Ever (But Not Too Smart) 😴✨

In a world where our phones do everything, it’s easy to forget the humble alarm clock. But guess what? They're making a quiet, thoughtful comeback—and they’re doing it on their own terms.

Meet the OneClock—a beautifully designed, screen-free alarm clock that’s not trying to be your assistant, fitness tracker, or inbox. It just wants to help you wake up well—and frankly, that’s refreshing. 🙌

🌙 Why It Matters:
More and more people are kicking smartphones out of the bedroom—and finding that better sleep, more mindful mornings, and less screen fatigue are worth it. OneClock, built in Colorado by founders Jamie Kripke and Howie Rubin, is at the forefront of this movement. Their goal? “Conscious technology”—useful tools that don’t pull you into a digital vortex.

🔊 What Makes It Different?

No WiFi. No Bluetooth. No distractions.

Original music by ambient artists (like Jon Natchez from The War on Drugs) that’s remixed each morning—so your brain never gets too used to your alarm.

Physical buttons only—because you don’t need a touchscreen at 6am.

Privacy-first voice control—only responds to essential alarm commands.

Gentle light and enhanced speaker quality for a smoother wake-up.

⚙️ The 2025 model is a thing of beauty: solid aluminium or warm wood casing, rich sound, and optional non-invasive sleep tracking via sound (no wristbands or apps required).

💬 “It’s not just an alarm clock—it’s a design statement and a healthier way to start your day,” says one early user.

💸 At around AU$460, it’s definitely a premium product—but for those looking to reclaim their sleep and disconnect from screen overload, it may just be the best investment you make this year.

📦 Comes with rave reviews, minimalist design, and a clear mission: create a sanctuary from screens.

Would you trade your phone alarm for something more mindful?

09/05/2025

💎🕰️ Corum x Cartier – A Rarity in White Gold & Turquoise 🌊✨

Every once in a while, a timepiece surfaces that stops you in your tracks—not just for its design, but for the story it tells.

Up for auction in March was a rare and exquisite collaboration:
🔹 Corum, Retailed by Cartier
🔹 18k white gold, diamond-set, manual-wind bracelet watch
🔹 c. 1980s, Ref. 55229B10, with a dazzling turquoise dial
🔹 Cartier-stamped case, movement & dial—plus the original Cartier presentation box

🧾 This isn’t your average vintage watch. It’s the product of a time when prestigious jewellers like Cartier occasionally retailed select models from other high-end watchmakers like Corum. These “double-signed” watches are now hot property for collectors—especially when they come with official Cartier inventory numbers and their original box. This one? Check and check ✅✅

⚪ The oval case design is pure 1980s sophistication, while the mesh gold bracelet and folding clasp elevate it to timeless luxury. And that turquoise dial? A bold, brilliant choice back then—and even more so today.

💬 “It’s not just a watch—it’s a snapshot of vintage haute horlogerie, where two luxury houses briefly crossed paths,” says one watch dealer.

🗓️ Auction ended 25 March 2025
💰 Sold: approx. AU$16,000
Whether you’re a Corum fan, a Cartier collector, or just someone who appreciates when design meets rarity—this piece is worth a close look.

📸 Would you wear it or vault it? Comment below!

09/05/2025

Installing a Fusee Watch Chain 🔧⛓️

If you’ve ever tackled the delicate task of installing a fusee chain into a vintage timepiece, you’ll know it’s no job for shaky hands—or short tempers!

The fusee chain drive is one of horology’s most ingenious solutions for regulating power delivery from a mainspring. Found mostly in 18th to mid-19th century pocket watches, marine chronometers, and early English bracket clocks, these tiny chains ensured consistent force even as the spring wound down.

🎩 They are mostly found in:
- Georgian and Victorian English lever watches
- Precision marine chronometers
- Early bracket clocks and some longcase clocks
- Occasionally in high-end French carriage clocks

🔗 Installing One? Here’s What You’re Up Against:
- A very fine chain like the ones people wear around their neck and often no longer than a several centimetres.
- A spiral fusee cone with a groove just begging the chain to slip out.
- A need for just the right tension—too tight, and you risk breakage; too slack, and you’ll get a skip or jam.

🔍 Pro tip: Use tweezers with curved tips, a loupe or microscope, and a steady rest for the movement. Start at the barrel end, hook the chain, and slowly wind it onto the fusee, one turn at a time. Some watchmakers even use a small pin or “fake arbor” to pre-set the fusee in the proper position before attaching the chain.

💬 “It’s like fitting a bicycle chain on a mouse,” says club member Jeff M., who recently restored a 1790s fusee verge watch. “But the feeling when it all lines up and ticks away? Magic.”

🧰 Installing one may be fiddly, but it’s also deeply satisfying—a mechanical handshake with horologists from centuries past.

📸 Have you ever restored a fusee-driven timepiece? Show us your work! We’d love to see those elegant cones, coiled chains, and ticking history brought back to life.

23/02/2025

Inside the Ipswich Post Office Clock
It was installed in 1879 and illuminated by gas; it was considered quite an innovation at the time. However, the clock’s lighting was short-lived due to interference from the heat of the burners.

Over the years, the Town Hall hosted numerous events, including a gala dinner for the Prince of Wales in 1920 and wartime dances for U.S. armed forces in the 1940s. It has continued to serve as a central community space and, in 1992, was added to the Queensland Heritage Register. The building underwent extensive renovations in 1999 and now houses the Ipswich Art Gallery.

Take a virtual tour of the tower with this link to a YouTube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg4iPm_srXI

25/10/2024

Did you know? . .
Hardy Brothers, Jewellers since 1853.

James Hardy migrated to Sydney in 1853 and by 1855 had a business selling silverware. He opened shops in Brisbane (1894) and Melbourne (1918) where he sold quality timepieces (Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer), traditional and contemporary clocks (supported by a Swiss service division), jewellery trophies and giftware.
He is the only Australian jewellery business to hold a Royal Warrant.

https://www.hardybrothers.com.au/

Queensland Clocks & Watches

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