Antique James McCabe Bracket Clock
Clockwise is delighted to present a truly outstanding and historically significant James McCabe bracket clock for sale, a piece that sits right at the pinnacle of Regency-period horology. This is not simply an attractive antique clock. It is a high-grade timepiece by one of the most celebrated makers in British clockmaking history, made even more remarkable by its unique Great Western Railway provenance.
Dating to around 1810, this exceptional clock was produced by James McCabe of Royal Exchange, London, a name synonymous with elite craftsmanship, precision and refinement in the late Georgian and Regency eras. McCabe clocks are scarce on the open market, and when they do appear they are rightly treated as serious collector pieces. This example offers a rare opportunity to acquire a clock with genuine historical importance, mechanical excellence and outstanding aesthetic presence.
A Bracket Clock with Unique GWR Provenance
What sets this clock apart is its extraordinary railway provenance. It was presented by Wyndham Raymond Portal, 1st Viscount Portal, GCMG, MVO, DSO, PC, the last Chairman of the Great Western Railway, to Keith Walter Chamberlain Grand, the first Regional Manager of British Railways Western Region following nationalisation. The Western Region developed directly from the GWR, and this presentation links the clock to a key moment in British railway history.
It is widely believed that the clock would have resided at Paddington Station, the headquarters of the newly formed Western Region. Adding further credibility and collectability, the clock retains its original numbered ivorine presentation plaque, mounted beneath the case. Provenance of this calibre is exceptionally rare and places this clock in a different league to comparable bracket clocks.
Twin Fusee, Eight-Day Movement of the Highest Quality
This James McCabe bracket clock is fitted with a wire-driven twin fusee, eight-day movement, a clear sign of top-tier craftsmanship. The movement features shouldered plates and five knopped pillars, with fine detailing throughout, including foliate engraving to the backplate, which also bears the maker’s name and place of work.
The movement has just been fully overhauled and remains in fine original condition. It strikes the hours on a beautifully tuned bell, producing a clear and refined sound entirely appropriate for a clock of this calibre. A strike/silent lever is discreetly positioned at the XII on the dial, allowing the hourly strike to be silenced if desired. The presence of the original travel-stop is an important and increasingly rare feature, particularly valued by collectors.
The clock is supplied with Clockwise’s standard three-year guarantee, offering complete peace of mind and underlining the quality of both the clock and the work carried out.
Superb Regency Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Case
The case is a stunning example of Regency Gothic lancet design, constructed from rich mahogany and enhanced with fine brass inlay. Standing at an impressive 49cm (19.3 inches) tall, the clock has strong visual presence without being overpowering, making it suitable for both formal and domestic settings.
The case is further complemented by original brass carrying handles, lined fishscale frets to the sides, and beautiful decorative brass feet, all of which remain in excellent original condition. The front of the case features elegant ebonised framing, a refined detail that adds depth and contrast to the overall design.
Two original working locks are present, a highly desirable feature. One secures the glazed oak back door, allowing access to the movement, while the second secures the heavy cast brass bezel at the front, which retains its original convex glass.
Exceptional Dial and Original Components
This antique clock is fitted with an eight-inch convex dial, mounted on its original baseplate and preserved in extraordinary condition. The dial is signed “James McCabe, Royal Exchange, London”, a signature reserved for his finest work, as noted by the renowned horological scholar Granville Hugh Baillie.
The dial is enhanced by a pair of correct period hands, secured by the original collet and tapered steel pin. The clock also retains its original regulated scale pendulum, another detail that reflects the exceptionally high standard applied to every aspect of McCabe’s work.
James McCabe – A Clockmaker of World Importance
James McCabe was the son of Patrick McCabe, himself a skilled watchmaker. Born in Lurgan, Ireland, James McCabe arrived in London in 1775 and established his business in Fleet Street at the age of 27. By 1802, he had relocated to 97 Cornhill, Royal Exchange, London, the address from which many of his greatest masterpieces were produced.
McCabe’s work was commissioned and owned by some of the most prominent figures in history, including Admiral Lord Nelson, President George Washington, and Tsar Alexander I of Russia. His clocks and watches were exported worldwide and were regarded as benchmarks of quality in their time. McCabe was an Honorary Freeman and Senior Warden of the Clockmaker’s Company, further cementing his standing within the craft.
Following his death in 1811, the business continued under his sons James, Thomas, and Robert McCabe, all of whom were accomplished clockmakers in their own right. Together, the McCabe dynasty produced some of the finest clocks of the late Georgian and Regency periods.
A Rare Opportunity from Clockwise
While other bracket clocks of similar appearance exist on the market from lesser makers, they are often unrestored and can require significant investment, with movement overhauls, case refurbishment, and dial restoration quickly exceeding several thousand pounds. This example has already been professionally overhauled and preserved, representing exceptional value for a clock of this quality, maker, and provenance.
Clockwise specialises in longcase and bracket clocks and is widely recognised as The Cotswolds’ Leading Antique Clock Restorer and Dealer. Serving clients from the worlds of business, film, sport, royalty, and aristocracy—while remaining equally committed to private collectors—Clockwise has built an unrivalled reputation for excellence, scholarship, and service.
This James McCabe bracket clock for sale is offered at £4,750 and represents a rare chance to acquire a museum-quality timepiece with genuine historical importance, outstanding craftsmanship, and impeccable provenance.
You can view the full listing here.
Additional details
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA890483
Dateline: Regency period
Height: 49cm (19.3 inches)
Width: 24.2cm (9.5 inches)
Depth: 15cm (5.9 inches)
Category: Bracket Clocks
Brand: James McCabe
What Makes James McCabe So Special
James McCabe occupies a unique position in the history of British clockmaking. He was not simply a skilled craftsman; he was one of the very small number of makers whose work defined the standards that others were measured against. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, McCabe clocks were regarded as among the finest precision instruments available anywhere in the world.
Unlike many London makers who outsourced large parts of their work, McCabe maintained strict control over quality, insisting on the very highest standards of finishing, accuracy and reliability. His movements were engineered not just to look impressive but to perform with exceptional consistency over long periods, which is why so many McCabe clocks have survived in remarkably original condition more than two centuries later.
McCabe’s reputation extended far beyond Britain. His clocks and watches were exported internationally and owned by some of the most powerful figures of the era, including Admiral Lord Nelson, President George Washington and Tsar Alexander I of Russia. This level of patronage was not accidental. It reflected the fact that McCabe’s work was trusted for its accuracy, durability and prestige at the very highest levels of society.
Another reason McCabe stands out is his approach to design. His clocks combine technical sophistication with restrained, elegant aesthetics. Rather than chasing fashion, McCabe focused on timeless proportions, refined dials and beautifully balanced cases. The result is that his clocks have never fallen out of favour and continue to look as impressive today as they did when they left his Royal Exchange workshops.
Finally, McCabe was a leading figure within the Clockmakers’ Company, serving as Honorary Freeman and Senior Warden. This was not a ceremonial role. It reflected the respect he commanded among his peers and his influence over professional standards within the trade. In an era when London was the centre of world horology, that position placed McCabe at the very top of the profession.
Owning a James McCabe clock is therefore not simply owning an antique. It is owning a piece of horological history created by one of the makers who helped define what excellence in clockmaking truly means.