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Some years ago, I took on board my Father's wise words "you never truly know what it's like to work, until you work for yourself" and set up my own business as Ben Wright Ltd buying and selling exceptional clocks from my office in the Market Place in Tetbury, a small town in the heart of the Cotswolds. This has been the home of clocks for over fifty years: the clock dealer Meyrick Neilson also had a shop here in the 70s and 8os from which he sold many exceptional clocks by the great makers such as Tompion, Knibb and Graham, so I am delighted to be continuing that tradition.
I am always delighted to show off my stock of beautiful clocks but to avoid missing me please call in advance to arrange an appointment as I am often away sourcing clocks for clients. I am equally happy to visit clients if that is more convenient. I always enjoy talking to anyone with an interest in horology so please email or ring if you would like a chat.
My first contact with the art world was when I joined Christie's Auction House in 1986. I started off as a porter but it wasn't long before clocks caught my imagination which soon turned into a life long passion. Within a year I was offered a position as a Junior Cataloguer in the clock and watch department. I later became Head of the Department. For the ensuing 15 years I had a wonderful time travelling the world, with unrivalled access to all of the greatest private clock collections.
I also became an Auctioneer, taking clock and watch sales in London, New York, Geneva, Amsterdam and Hong Kong. During my 20 years with Christie's, I sold over 1500 carriage clocks and more than 50 clocks and watches by Thomas Tompion!
In 2000 I was asked to join the team at BBC's Antiques Roadshow. I was extremely flattered to be asked and for the first few years it was a steep learning process. The team on the Roadshow is very professional, not just the Specialists, but also the Directors, the Camera crew and even the guys who fetch and carry and drive the lorries; everyone a happy family, travelling to over 15 locations in a year.
The question I get asked most frequently is "Do you know in advance what's going to be at each Roadshow?" The answer is emphatically "No". The spontaneity that you see on your screens sitting in your armchairs is genuine! Most of the items that show up at each venue are ordinary pieces worth £5 to £500, but that's never disappointing because I get to meet such interesting people, many of whom have been queuing for hours just to see a Specialist like myself. Working out what I'm going to say to the owner and what I think the clock is worth isn't terribly difficult - the difficult part is done in the editing suite where they cleverly clip together the best bits for you to enjoy on Sunday evening!
If you would like to purchase a copy of Thomas Tompion 300 Years, please get in contact and we would be delighted to send you one.
In 2006 I was delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with two colleagues in the publication of a book on Thomas Tompion. It was a wonderful project and a lasting legacy to my admiration for this pre-eminent English clock maker. If you're interested in clocks and haven't already got a copy may I advise you to get in contact - you won't regret it — or your money back!