Mathew Porton - FBHI

© Mathew Porton FBHI 2023.  Tempus Fugit Velut Umbra                                                                            Barnt Green, Worcestershire, West Midlands

About Me

Background

I am a professional clock repairer and Fellow of the British Horological Institute (FBHI).  I work part-time on the service and repair of mechanical clocks and combine this with part-time lecturing on the Horology (BA) degree course at Birmingham City University.


BHI Registered Professional Members are qualified professional members of the Institute, assessed for compliance with strict criteria for standards of technical competence, experience and professional practices.


Before setting up this business I studied Horology at Birmingham City University gaining the required qualifications from the British Horological Institute to achieve professional status.  I completed the Certificate in Clock and Watch Servicing and also the Certificate in the Repair, Restoration and Conservation of Clocks.  These qualifications take 3 years to complete.


On completion of my studies I was awarded the British Horological Institute Bronze Medal, the highest award for a student.


I have also been awarded the Poole Cup by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers which is awarded for achievement in practical horology.  I have since been honoured to become a Freeman of the Worshipful Company.


Prior to working in horology I was a Chartered Engineer having studied and trained in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and also in the Management of Information Systems.


My engineering background and love of mechanical devices, making and fixing things led me to a career in horology where attention to detail and a steady, methodical approach pays dividends.  I take pride in the quality of my work and satisfaction in the pleasure my customers get from the continued running of their clocks.


What Makes Me Tick

Clocks are a wonderful insight into our history and into engineering history in particular.  Telling the time has always been an important ability and the means to do it more accurately, by smaller and more portable devices, across all parts of the globe and by a greater number of people is all recorded in the clocks of different types and ages that we have left.  


These clocks tell the story of these developments and many of them have clues within them as to their working life so far.  Many clocks have markings recording past service and repair work and some clocks have been altered in their life to keep up with engineering advances within horology.  Some have also been modified to keep up with the fashions of the times.


This is an invaluable and fascinating aspect of examining and working on clocks and one which leads to a great deal of respect and care for the objects in our care.  To ensure that these clocks retain the information within them as to their heritage and clues to their life and development through the ages is a very important aspect of the work of anyone involved in horology.  


This leads to an approach that is very much minded to consider conservation of  these important aspects at all times.  With this in mind the work that I do will always take full account of conservation needs and work sympathetically to preserve historically important parts.