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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Wall clock dial

Clock dial marked 'Potter, Railway Time'

Partially verified

This object is a clock dial featuring the inscription 'Potter, Railway Time'. Dated to 1840-1880, the dial is of British origin. It is housed in a circular wooden surround and features a metal face with Roman numerals and two hands. The dial exhibits significant signs of wear and surface degradation. It is a material reference to the shift toward synchronized timekeeping necessitated by the expansion of railway transportation in 19th-century Britain, when disparate local times were gradually replaced by 'Railway Time' or Greenwich Mean Time to manage complex train schedules and reduce the risk of accidents. The dial was donated to the collection by Callinghams Limited.

Front view of the clock dial with worn finish and the inscription 'POTTER' and 'RAILWAY TIME.'
Front view of the clock dial with worn finish and the inscription 'POTTER' and 'RAILWAY TIME.' — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Clock · Wall clock dial
Maker / attribution
Unknown maker
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1978-208
Source-reported date
1840-1880
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Appearance

The object comprises a circular dial plate, which is currently in a deteriorated condition. The face displays Roman numerals marking the hours, with a significant portion of the original black paint finish having worn away, exposing the base metal. The center of the dial bears the text 'POTTER' above the phrase 'RAILWAY TIME.'

Two hands are attached at the center. The surrounding assembly consists of a circular wooden frame secured by a brass bezel. The piece measures 255 mm by 454 mm and has a weight of 2.56 kg.

Evidence for this section
  • “Clock dial marked "Potter, Railway Time" with two hands”

Context and Significance

The dial acts as a physical artifact relating to the introduction of standard time in Britain. During the mid-19th century, the expansion of railway networks created a requirement for consistent timekeeping to ensure safe operations across different regions, which previously operated on local sun-based times.

Railway operators adopted 'Railway Time' or Greenwich Mean Time as a standard practice.

Evidence for this section
  • “The railways were united, running on the same tracks in a complex pattern, which required meticulous time management to prevent a severe accident.”
  • “In November 1841, the Great Western Railway announced that it would observe 'Railway Time', or Greenwich Mean Time across its network”

Provenance and Identification

The clock dial was donated to the collection by Callinghams Limited. The cataloguing records indicate that the maker remains unknown, despite the appearance of the name 'Potter' on the dial face.

The date for the object is assigned to the period 1840-1880, coinciding with the era of railway expansion and the adoption of standard time in Britain.

Evidence for this section
  • “Donated by Callinghams Limited”
  • “unknown maker”
  • “1840-1880”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific connection between the name 'Potter' and this clock dial?
  • Was 'Potter' a clockmaker, a clock repairer, or perhaps a railway station master or official associated with the clock's location?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Clock dial marked 'Potter, Railway Time'
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerUnknown maker“unknown maker”
Accession number1978-208“1978-208”
Date1840-1880“1840-1880”
PlaceUnited Kingdom“British”
InscriptionPotter, Railway Time“Clock dial marked "Potter, Railway Time”
Measurements255 mm x 454 mm 2.56 kg“overall: 255 mm x 454 mm 2.56 kg”
DonorCallinghams Limited“Donated by Callinghams Limited”

Visible details

  • Significant loss of black paint and finish on the dial face
  • Features two iron-style hands and Roman numeral hour markers
  • Mounted in a circular wooden frame with brass bezel
  • The name 'Potter' and 'Railway Time' are etched onto the dial center

Research qualifications

  • Maker is stated as 'Unknown maker' despite the name 'Potter' on the dial
  • Dating is broad (1840-1880) and reflective of a range rather than specific manufacture

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Clock dial marked 'Potter, Railway Time', 1840-1880

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 2a94ce0510

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.