The Founder of the company, Onorato Comitti, was a skilled Italian instrument maker who came to England in 1845. He sought a new future in the land that was enjoying unprecedented prosperity generated by the Industrial Revolution. Mr Comitti established his workshops in London as a maker of barometers and related instruments and in a very short time his beautiful products were gracing the homes of discerning customers. It was during the late Victorian period that the company diversified into clockmaking.

Many of the styles made in these early days continue to be available today. They are recognised as English classics and sought after as valuable antiques.

S200G - The Great Wheel Skeleton Clock A copy of an elegant timepiece originally made in France around the 1890s and thereafter made in various formats in England. The apparent simplicity of the design is achieved by omitting a wheel from the more conventional geartrain and making compensating changes in the tooth counts of the remaining gearing. The beauty of the clock is its simplicity. The 14 day movement is fusee-driven, gold plated and protected by a glass cover. Enamel finish dial and fine period hands. Dimensions (including glass cover): Height 17" (430mm) Width 11.5" (295mm) Depth 8.25" (210mm) Availability is limited to 25 pieces worldwide annually.
S206G - The Grasshopper Clock The Grasshopper Clock is based on the 'escapement' invented by the famous clock maker John Harrison (1693 - 1776). Harrison made the first marine chronometer that made it possible for seafarers to calculate their longitude position by observing the stars. The chronometer enabled them to compare the angle of their position with the known angle at a given time in Greenich, London. Examples of his work are exhibited at The Old Royal Observatory. The pendulums are inter-linked so that any motion to one would be compensated for by that same effect on the other. This was particularly important for the operation of such a clock subject to motion, for example the roll of a ship. A beautiful example of the clockmakers art. The 8 day movement is fusee-driven, gold plated and protected by a glass cover. The dials are etched and silver plated. The seconds are indicated by the 180 degree scale above the dial. Delicate period hands. Dimensions (including glass cover): Height 17" (430mm) Width 11.5" (295mm) Depth 8.25" (210mm) Availability is limited to 25 pieces annually.
C4112TCH - The Queen Anne * Walnut case with burr veneers. Inlaid with satinwood edgeline and decorated with hand cut fretwork * Polished triple chime nested bell 8 day movement with automatic chime sequence correction and night silencer * Plays Westminster, Whittington and St Michael melodies * Brass dial plate with cast spandrels, silver plated chapter ring and etched motif * Bevelled glasses to all sides and period milled hands * The brassware is "antiqued" and lacquered to prevent tarnishing * The cabinet is hand rubbed and waxed Dimensions: Height 20" (500mm) Width 12" (300mm) Depth 8" (200mm) A faithful copy of the classic Georgian table clock. The inverted bell top case is typical of many clocks made by John Elliot. (1706 - 1772) Annual availability is limited to 50 pieces worldwide.
C083TP The Corinthian The Corinthian timepiece reflects classical elegance with its fluted pillars. * Eight day timepiece movement * Jewelled Swiss platform escapement accurate to +/- 2 minutes per week * Enamel finish dial and period hands * Bevelled glasses on all sides * Presentation box available Height 6" (152mm)
C084TP The Oval The Oval reflects perfectly the charm of these fine timepieces. The clock features curved bevelled glasses. * Eight day timepiece movement * Jewelled Swiss platform escapement accurate to +/- 2 minutes per week * Enamel finish dial and period hands * Bevelled glasses on all sides * Presentation box available Height 6" (152mm)
C086TP The Anglaise * Eight day timepiece movement * Jewelled Swiss platform escapement accurate to +/- 2 minutes per week * Enamel finish dial and period hands * Bevelled front and top glasses * Also available with Quartz movement with solid sides and top. Height 5.5" (140mm), model C086Q A popular English style.
CO87TP & Q The Corniche Height 6" (152mm) * Eight day timepiece movement * Jewelled Swiss platform escapement accurate to +/- 2 minutes per week * Enamel finish dial and period hands * Bevelled front and top glasses * Also available with Quartz movement with solid sides and top. Height 5.5" (140mm), model C087Q One of the most popular styles made around 1870. (Mechanical model has glass sides – Quartz model brass sides)
C088TP The Cromwell A derivative of the Anglaise style. * Eight day timepiece movement * Jewelled Swiss platform escapement accurate to +/- 2 minutes per week * Enamel finish dial and period hands * Bevelled front and top glasses * Also available with Quartz movement with solid sides and top. Height 5.5" (140mm), model C088Q Height 5.5" (140mm)
Passing Strike Skeleton Clock Exquisite examples of Skeleton Clocks introduced by J. Smith & Sons at the Great Exhibition in London's Hyde Park in 1851. The first Skeleton clocks were made in France, circa 1750. However, the more decorative English versions of these clocks did not appear in significant numbers until the 19th Century. The popularity of these timepieces during the Victorian period reflects their fascination with all things elaborate and mechanical. Every detail of the movement is visible, facilitated by the fretted plates and the mirror finish of the components. The solid brass 8 day movements strike a bell on the hour and feature automatic deadbeat escapements. The 4mm movement plates feature fine decorative detail ,they are hand polished and gold plated. The chapter rings are silver plated and feature Maltese cross hands. The movements are protects by hand blown mineral glass domes trimmed with decorative gold lame braid. The clocks are available with solid mahogany base. Ivy leaf motif movement plates with petal chapter ring. Dimensions: 165mm x 245mm x 315mm. Model No: S208G
The Chatham Tall Clock The Chatham is a superb copy of a Simon Willard tall clock circa. 1792. Simon Willard, born1753, was one of four sons, the fifth generation of the Willard family, all of whom were clockmakers and who at various times worked from the family home at Grafton which still exists. Between them they developed the unique "Roxbury style"of tall clock which is characterised by ogee or bracket feet, stop fluted quarter columns, rounded hood top with pierced fret work mounted between three chimneys each surmounted by brass finials. The Chatham incorporates these features and in addition we have added marquetry edge lining, cross-banding and corner quadrants to the solid mahogany case, to match the original clock, all of which are laid by hand. The cabinet is hand rubbed and waxed to achieve an antique mahogany finish with light distressing whilst all the furniture fittings are of solid brass. The moon-phase dial is a hand painted copy of a period dial originally produced in Boston and delicate milled hands indicate the time. The movement is of the finest quality, playing Westminster, St. Michael or Whittington melodies at will. It is cable driven and includes an automatic night silencer, chime sequence and automatic beat setting. This clock brings together the traditions and outstanding workmanship of this pre-eminent American clockmaker, skills which Comitti are proud to acknowledge and emulate, with quality modern clockwork to achieve a furniture item of outstanding character and presence. Dimensions: H 218 cm (excluding finial) W49cm D32cm H 232cm (to top of finial)