Anstey & Wilson: The Birmingham Makers Behind Britain's Most Elegant Sunburst Clocks
If you ask any serious collector of mid century modern British clocks which name sits at the top of the tree, the answer is almost always the same: Anstey & Wilson. Made in Birmingham, England, during the 1950s and 1960s, their sunburst and starburst wall clocks are consistently described as the most sought-after examples of the genre in the UK — and for good reason. There is a quality of material, a refinement of design, and a rarity of supply that sets them apart from the output of their contemporaries.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Anstey & Wilson clocks — who made them, what defines their best pieces, how to identify a genuine example, and what to expect to pay in today's market.
Birmingham: The City That Made British Clocks
To understand Anstey & Wilson, it helps to understand Birmingham's place in British clockmaking. The city had been a centre of precision metalwork since the eighteenth century, when makers like Thomas Osborne and James Wilson pioneered the painted dial industry that supplied clockmakers across Britain and beyond. Birmingham's metalworking trades — brass founding, electroplating, die casting — gave it a natural advantage in clock component manufacture that persisted well into the twentieth century.
Anstey & Wilson were a Birmingham metalworking firm with roots in electroplated ware — the precision metalwork and plating traditions of the city ran deep in their production. By the 1950s, they were applying that heritage of fine metalwork to a new product: the decorative wall clock, at precisely the moment when mid century modern design was transforming British home interiors.
What Makes an Anstey & Wilson Clock Special
The defining characteristic of an Anstey & Wilson sunburst clock is the combination of materials. Where many manufacturers of the period used pressed metal, painted spokes or single-material constructions, Anstey & Wilson consistently combined solid teak wood with brass metalwork — a pairing that gives their clocks a warmth and depth that purely metallic alternatives simply cannot match.
The typical Anstey & Wilson sunburst features alternating or grouped teak spokes — warm, richly grained, solid wood — mounted on or alongside brass spires or fittings, with a brass clock face carrying stylised numerals and elegant hands. The contrast between the honey warmth of teak and the gleam of brass is the visual signature of the range, and it photographs beautifully, which is one reason Anstey & Wilson clocks appear so frequently in interior design features and high-end vintage sales.
Their clocks were also made in relatively small numbers compared to mass-market contemporaries like Metamec. This scarcity — combined with their quality — is why prices for Anstey & Wilson pieces consistently outperform the market.
Identifying a Genuine Anstey & Wilson
Genuine Anstey & Wilson clocks are typically marked on the dial or movement with the company name and "England" or "Birmingham, England." Key things to look for:
Materials: Solid teak spokes, not veneer, not painted wood. The teak should have genuine grain and warmth — hold it to the light and you should see the natural figuring of the wood.
Brass quality: The brass components should be substantial and well-finished. Anstey & Wilson used quality brass fittings — the spires, face surround and fittings should feel solid, not lightweight or thin.
Dial: The clock face is typically brass with stylised numerals — often elongated or geometric in character. The hands are usually slender and well-proportioned.
Size: Most Anstey & Wilson sunbursts measure approximately 60-65cm in diameter — large enough to make a genuine statement on a wall. Smaller examples do exist but the larger pieces are the most sought after.
Movement: Original pieces used Japanese battery-operated movements — reliable and still available as replacements. Many examples on the market have had movements replaced, which is perfectly acceptable as long as the case is original.
What to Pay: The Anstey & Wilson Market Today
Anstey & Wilson clocks command a genuine premium in the vintage clock market. On the primary vintage market — specialist dealers, quality auction houses — expect to pay:
- Good condition, original movement: £200-£350
- Excellent condition, serviced: £300-£450
- Exceptional examples, rare variants: £400+
On the secondary market — eBay, general auction — prices vary more widely, but genuine examples in good condition rarely sell for less than £150, and competition for the best pieces can push prices significantly higher.
Beware significantly underpriced examples — check the materials carefully. The teak should be solid and the brass substantial. Some later or inferior pieces use similar designs with lesser materials.
Anstey & Wilson at RetroTime
At RetroTime we have a particular affection for Anstey & Wilson clocks. They represent everything we look for in a vintage piece — genuine quality of materials, considered design, and a provenance that is specifically and proudly British. When we find a good example, we fit a new quartz movement as standard and ensure the clock is in full working order before it leaves us.
View our current Anstey & Wilson listings →
If you are looking for a specific Anstey & Wilson model or variant, contact us and we will keep an eye out for you.
RetroTime specialises in genuine vintage British homewares — wall clocks, textile wall art and lighting from the mid century modern era. Based in Chelmsford, Essex. Free tracked delivery across the UK.