Andrew Knowles the Bolton Clock maker born in 1657 was active from 1725 to his death in 1771 making long-case and other clocks.
In the 1720’s he sub-divided the hour ring of a singlehanded 30 hour clock, so that the ¼ hour markers on the dial were sub decided into three to provide markings at 5 minute intervals, heralding a new level of detail in timekeeping, which as the hands were narrower than the divisions allowed some level of further subdivision by eye, to ascertain an even closer time. It is possible that Thomas Bridge senior was most likely the first maker to calibrate the clock like this on the outer ring.
The Andrew Knowles Chapter Ring
Many of his surviving clocks have been modified, often with additional carving to the case. He is mentioned in the Stratford Churchwardens Accounts of 1746. At his death he was described as a clockmaker of Picks (Pikes?) Lane, Parish of Bolton.
There is one clock known as Knowles and Bridge, presumably a partnership with Thomas Bridge
Andrew Knowles, Walnut cased quarter chiming clock, the ten and a half inch brass dial with Roman numeral silvered chaper ring and lotus flower engraved centre, flanked by gilt brass coronet cherub spandrels, within a square section glazed hood and dentil moulded cornice between turned pilasters, above a slender arched long trunk door, flanked by half fulted columns on plinth base and ogee bracket feet, having a converted three train quarter chiming movement with hammers on eight bells and hourly strike on a bell, with anchor escapement, originally a thirty hour movement.
An eight day carved oak longcase clock, by Andrew Knowles, the hood with barleytwist columns flanking a 12” brass dial with silvered chapter ring, date aperture, the movement striking on bell, the trunk later carved with tulips to the door and the base carved with herons, raised on bracket feet.
An 18th century oak long-case clock, by Andrew Knowles of Bolton. Having a 12″ square brass dial, brass spandrels, signed to the silvered chapter ring, with Roman and Arabic numerals, the centre with rolling moon-phase, date aperture, and twin winding holes for an eight day weight driven four pillar movement striking on a bell, the associated case being later carved and having fluted pilasters to a box base.
This is much earlier dating 1715-1720.a single handed clock with dummy winding holes to give the appearance of being a 8 day clock when in fact it runs for 30 hours. The hand is brass used greatly by Wigan and surrounding makers. These are cast and then finished by the clockmaker.
Notice here that the clock is calibrated to read every five minutes but placed on the outer dial hence the extended hand. I have only seen this done by Thomas Bridge senior , Thomas Bridge junior , Andrew Knowles and one other maker!
