About

Barnacle started with an E.Howard Slave Clock

My father-in-law is a second-generation clock collector who now repairs clocks full-time in his retirement. Thanks to his generosity, we have inherited several clocks, all of which are timeless and deeply rooted in history.

What makes the E. Howard & Co. Slave Clock in our kitchen unique? And why did it lead to Barnacle Clock Works?  My father-in-law modified the movement on the E. Howard to run on a D battery combined with a time-of-day master circuit to pulse the slave movement. In short, it’s the only clock we don’t have to wind every eight days. It keeps perfect time.  When that D battery dies, it becomes a matter of replacing it at all costs for my wife, despite having a smartwatch, a phone, and a digital clock on her computer. 

What is it about our analog clock? Is it the nostalgia? Is it the simplicity that helps her stay present? Is it the visual layout of an analog face that allows her to check the time quickly? I can’t say for sure. But it did push me further down the rabbit hole.  

Inspired by horology, design, and value, I became interested in the microbrand movement and started collecting microbrand watches. I observed innovation happening within microbrands that wasn’t occurring with the major brands. While the innovation wasn’t always in the movements, I knew I would always get a reliable movement that could be repaired nearly anywhere and wouldn’t need to be sent off to Switzerland for repairs.  

I wanted to create a clock inspired by the core concepts behind microbrands, with great design, premium materials, and a reliable movement that you set and forget. That’s how Barnacle Clock Works came about; it was a night and weekend project that started in a barn in Northern California.  Let’s call it a passion project, and I think you’ll see what I’m talking about if you happen to come across a Barnacle.