The Pragnell Bray Origins Clock
“Harrison’s work on perfecting the marine chronometer shaped the world as we know it today, saving countless lives at sea, allowing trade and improving the standard of living globally. His many horological innovations facilitated the birth of the pocket watch, and then the wristwatch, the ultimate portable timepiece.”
- Charlie Pragnell
Portrait of John Harrison (1693-1776) English Clockmaker
John Harrison & the Quest for Longitude
In May 1736, the HMS Centurion left Portsmouth for Lisbon with a special passenger; John Harrison, a self-taught Yorkshire clockmaker. Harrison carried a strange new clock he believed could keep accurate time at sea, something never done before. The ship’s captain, George Proctor, was sceptical and wrote to the Admiralty expressing his doubts.
DISCOVER.webp)
Charlie Pragnell & Bob Bray, Geneva 2022
The Making of the Pragnell Bray Origins Clock
In 2022, Charlie Pragnell and Bob Bray united in Geneva to honour John Harrison’s legacy. Pragnell, head of his family’s renowned watch and jewellery business, champions both Swiss icons and independent pioneers. His ally, Bob Bray - a self-taught Yorkshire clockmaker and owner of Sinclair Harding - revived the struggling firm in the 1990s and rose to global acclaim, echoing Harrison’s inventive spirit and Britain’s enduring influence on fine timekeeping.
DISCOVER
Sketching the mechanics
Machining the clock plates
Fusee Chain handmade onsite at the workshop
“This project has been 3 years in planning and is the culmination of a life’s work for Bob Bray and a momentous milestone for Pragnell. It simply wouldn’t have been possible without the support, insights and archives of the Royal Museums Greenwich - a world class institution documenting and preserving history for all.”
- Charlie Pragnell
Watch CLP Page
Contact us