Next we meet Jonathan Flower, Founder of The Regulator Clock Company that specialises in precision regulator clocks and instruments, from the 18th century through to the modern day. Jonathan’s horological journey started at Watches of Switzerland where he managed the Patek Philippe boutique and the specialist showroom in London’s luxury shopping district in Old Bond Street.
His fascination with precision timekeepers led him to launch his company that has an extensive collection of both astronomical and domestic regulators in a variety of styles by celebrated makers such as Dent, Frodsham and Condliff.
We hear Jonathan’s views on business and the surge in interest in clock collecting, particularly the demand for precision and complicated timepieces.
MWM: How is business?
JF: Challenging but good.
MWM: What are you currently working on?
JF: I am having an exhibition in May on the pursuit of accuracy and the positive effects electricity had on it and also how it answered the need for the distribution of accurate time in the workplace.
MWM: Tell us something we don’t know about The Regulator Clock Company?
JF: That my background is in watches having worked for Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux, and Rolex.
MWM: Which watch do you wear?
JF: I alternate between a Girard-Perregaux chronograph with their famous 3 bridge tourbillon movement (above) and a Frederique Constant Naked perpetual (below).
MWM: Which watch/clock would you like to own?
JF: Watch: A Patek 5800. Clock: A double pendulum Janvier (below).
MWM: What do you like best about the business?
JF: Discovering a unique clock.
MWM: What do you like least about the business?
JF: Having to say goodbye to a great clock when it’s sold.
MWM: What is next on the horizon for you?
JF: Getting everything ready for the exhibition in May – there will be about 25 clocks ranging from an 18th Century Royal Earnshaw to a 1960’s Ex-BBC Bush House Patek Philippe quartz stack system that ran clocks in all the studios.
Jonathan Flower is a Friend of MrWatchMaster