bhi - clocks, watches & the art and science of timekeeping

About the BHI

Our organisation is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Follow these links to download copies of our Memorandum of Association and our Articles of Association. Our mission statement is:

The British Horological Institute is a professional body created by the members, for the members, to further their interests. We aspire to be the natural home for all involved in horology, whether professionally or recreationally, and we will achieve this by:

Facilitating education and providing specialist training;
Setting recognised standards of excellence in workmanship and professional conduct;
Supporting our members in the furtherance of their horological aspirations.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services.
We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.

Download a pdf copy of our General Information Leaflet.

About our armorial bearings

The Armillary Sphere, supported in the Institute’s armorial bearings by two lions, has long been used as a device by the Horological Institute.

The crossed lines covering the eagle signify the passage of time, and the sprig of thyme in the bird’s beak, as well as the hour glass in its talons, also depict the preoccupation with time.

The closed helm is appropriate to a corporate body, and the mantling flowing down either side, is made up of the principal metal and colour of the Shield of Arms — gold and black, the livery colours of the Institute.

The silver unicorn marks the long association of the Institute with Marquises of Northampton. The other supporter, a Boar coloured in gold with black spots, alludes to one of the early and outstanding of a long line of distinguished presidents, Lord Grimthorpe.

The motto ‘Vigilantia’ expresses the constant endeavour of those who devote their lives to the science of horology.

What is horology?HOROLOGY is the art, science and craft of making instruments to measure time.

HOROLOGISTS are people who make, repair, restore or conserve clocks and watches.

HOROLOGY covers the full range of watches and clocks: from the smallest ladies' watches or even cuff-link watches to the largest church, railway and other public clocks; from the oldest mechanical timepieces to the latest versions controlled by radio time signals from atomic clocks around the world.

Who are our members?Membership at Associate level is open to all.

Our Registered grades, Member and Fellow, are available to those who can demonstrate the necessary skills, understanding and experience.

All our members undertake to abide by our Code of Practice. If you have any problem with a Registered Repairer, you can download a copy of our Problem Resolution Form.

Why is Professional Registration important? Your clocks and watches are important to you. When they need servicing or repair, you'll want to make sure they're properly cared for by experts. The BHI's Professional Register only includes details of individuals who have satisfied the Institute's stringent requirements for professional membership, so by choosing a BHI Registered Repairer, you can be confident of a good result! Find a Registered Repairer.

If you have difficulties with any aspect of the service you receive from a BHI Registered Repairer, you can use the Institute's Problem Resolution Service - we will try to help!

One-fifty!On 15th June 2008 the Institute celebrated its 150th anniversary. A programme of specialist symposia ran from 9th-11th June, followed by an exciting three-day Show from 13th - 15th June

For photo's from the symposium & show, click One-Fifty

People The organisation is governed by our Council. These are a group of up to ten Directors, dedicated individuals elected from the membership, who take responsibility for matters of policy, and for guiding the Institute's future. The current Members of Council are: Richard Thomas MBHI (Chairman), Geoff Armitage MBHI (Vice Chairman), Richard Snelling MBHI, Stella Haward MBHI, Hugh Barnes, Robert Loomes MBHI, Colin Fergusson MBHI, Mike Cardew FBHI and Ross Alcock MBHI.

Board

Meet the Team
'Front of House' - If you call Upton Hall, or visit in person, any of the team will be happy to assist, but Max and Briony are most likely to greet you first:
	Maxine Bell, Services Co-ordinator, who is also Examinations Secretary.
Briony Dickinson, Research/Accounts Co-ordinator
Our HJ Team puts together the Horological Journal each and every month:
	Jayne Hall is Editor
and Justin Koullapsis is 'Technical Editor' (not based at Upton Hall).
The 'Engine Room' :
	As well as looking after the museum collection, Curator Alan Midleton FBHI is also Librarian, and one of the tutors for our Distance Learning Course.
Data Co-ordinator Zanna Perry looks after our membership database, administers our seminar programme and the Rolex parts supply scheme, and maintains the BHI website .
*And the buck stops here...*
General Manager, Martin Taylor, leads and supports this small team of committed employees who look after the Institute's day-to-day operations, under the Direction of the Institute's Board or Council..
Other Regulars
	Not strictly 'on the payroll', but often to be seen around Upton Hall, and essential to keeping the place in sound order, is subcontract handyman George Hind.
Volunteers
Former Workshop Technician Bill Tammas still 'pops in' occasionally to help keep the workshops running smoothly.
	Arthur 'Ironman' Booth helps out in the workshops, and particularly with testing and maintenance of electrical equipment.
Barrie 'Bazza' Fitton proof-reads HJ each month, and helps keep our garden neat and tidy. (Although pictured here with both pen and fork, he doesn't always carry out both roles at the same time.)
	Ray 'Sarge' Walford works with Barrie in the garden (back permitting!) and has taken on the project of scanning our HJ indexes.
Office bear Frank Staples generally helps around the offices wherever he can, and models the BHI lapel badge, on sale to members for £3.00. Contact us to order (that's the badge, not the bear!

bhi "excellence in time"

The British Horological Institute Limited

Our Corporate Members

About the BHI

The British Horological Institute is a professional body created by the members, for the members, to further their interests. We aspire to be the natural home for all involved in horology, whether professionally or recreationally, and we will achieve this by:

Facilitating education and providing specialist training;

Setting recognised standards of excellence in workmanship and professional conduct;

Supporting our members in the furtherance of their horological aspirations.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services.
We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.

bhi "excellence in time"

The British Horological Institute Limited

Our Corporate Members

About the BHI

The British Horological Institute is a professional body created by the members, for the members, to further their interests. We aspire to be the natural home for all involved in horology, whether professionally or recreationally, and we will achieve this by:

Facilitating education and providing specialist training;

Setting recognised standards of excellence in workmanship and professional conduct;

Supporting our members in the furtherance of their horological aspirations.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services. We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services.
We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.