A Completed Set of Hands

Each set of hands is crafted from the highest quality materials by a highly skilled craftsman. The process starts with the paper template, which is scaled to suit each individual dial, before being applied to the metal from which the hand will be manufactured. This is done with great care to ensure that the proportions of the hands will be suitable to the dial in question.

Once the proportions have been defined, the hands are cut by hand in the traditional manner. This is to ensure that the hands being manufactured retain the look of a much older pair and do not appear to be replacements at first glance.

Partially Sculpted Hand

Once the hands have been sculpted they are checked to ensure the look is correct for the period of the clock and the style of the dial, with any minor alterations being made to adjust the detail. The hands are then polished by hand to ensure that no detail is lost. They can then be blued, using the gentle heat to finish them off, protecting them from rusting and to ensure a good contrast against the dial back ground.

Hand Replacements

Clock hands can sometimes become damaged or be missing entirely. J A Alcock & Son are able to replace clock hands with authentic looking replacements, crafted by hand to antique designs. This is possible due to a large resource of hand patterns at our disposal, along with our extensive knowledge of dating clocks, ensuring that any replacement hands look authentic. 

Each set of clock hands is individually chosen by the customer, with guidance from our experts and the date and style that would be suitable for their clock. A wide range of style are available for all types of clocks from numerous sources. Once a set of hands has been chosen each set is lovingly hand crafted individually.

Hand Blanks Being Checked for Proportion

Once the proportions are checked and double checked, the hands need to be artistically sculpted. This is something which can only be done by hand as there is no measurement required just pure craftsmanship and a good eye for detail. Each hand, although following the same basic rules and principles, is different and as such need to be treated as a piece of art, something the craftsman at J A Alcock & Son take great pride in.


Sculpted Hands