Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

London, England · 1661–c. 1725

John Bushman

Partially verified

Watchmaker known for automata and striking movements

Life & work

Born in Augsburg, Germany, in 1661, John Bushman was the son of a clockmaker who moved to London.

He relocated to London as a child and eventually became a member of the local Clockmakers' Guild in 1692. Bushman maintained an active workshop until at least 1725. Contemporary accounts describe him as a skilled craftsman and a pleasant individual who retained his German fluency.

He was held in high regard alongside notable masters of his time, such as Thomas Tompion and Daniel Quare.

The fuller biography summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • Bushman was recognized for producing high-quality timepieces featuring complex automaton mechanisms, such as his snake-themed creations.

Documented works

  • Known works include a pocket watch featuring a quarter-striking and quarter-repeating movement, dating to approximately 1725.
  • He also produced specialized watches with rotating automata, often housed in double cases.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

Firms, key models & movements

No firm, model or movement in this encyclopedia is yet recorded under this maker's name.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under John Bushman. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

Diagram

12345let downstripcleanoilregulateorder of work; never skip letting down the mainspring
Schematic: order of work at the bench. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Bushman, John (2), Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03
  2. Bushman, John (2), Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.