Among the many British and European makers who produced sunburst wall clocks through the 1960s, Manley occupies a distinctive niche. Their clocks are less common on the market than names like Metamec or Anstey & Wilson, and they're instantly recognisable once you know what to look for — a dense, multi-spoke starburst design quite different from the more restrained styles of their contemporaries.
This guide covers what's genuinely known about Manley clocks, what makes them distinctive, and what to look for when buying.
A Note on Company History
We'll be upfront: detailed, documented history for Manley as a company is difficult to find. Unlike Metamec, which left behind clear factory records and production figures, Manley doesn't appear to have the same paper trail — no confirmed founding date, factory location, or company records that we've been able to verify. What we know comes from the clocks themselves and the pattern of what turns up in the vintage market: Manley was active in Britain during the 1960s, producing sunburst wall clocks in reasonable numbers, but clearly in smaller volumes than the larger manufacturers of the era. If genuine company records exist somewhere, we'd welcome pointing to them — for now, we'd rather say "we don't know" than invent a founding story.
The Signature Manley Look
What sets Manley apart visually is spoke density and material contrast. While many sunburst clocks use 12 spokes, Manley's most recognisable design uses a full 24-spoke arrangement — a much denser, more dramatic radiating pattern than the norm.
Many examples alternate two different woods across the spokes, most commonly teak and walnut, creating a two-tone effect that catches the light differently across the face of the clock as the angle changes — something a single-wood sunburst simply can't do.
Dial treatments vary more than you might expect from a single maker. We've seen and sourced Manley clocks with:
- Faux marble / onyx-effect dials, usually in grey or green tones, giving a more refined, quieter look than the bright metallic dials common elsewhere
- Green onyx-effect faces with original hands, a particularly striking variant
- Gold baton markers and sword-style hands, generally understated rather than ornate
What to Look For When Buying
Spoke condition and matching. With a 24-spoke design, consistency across the full ring matters enormously to the overall look — a single mismatched or replaced spoke stands out far more than it would on a 12-spoke clock. Check all the way around, not just the visible front-facing spokes in photos.
Original vs. replacement movements. As with most 1960s clocks, original mechanical movements are increasingly rare to find still functioning reliably. A well-fitted quartz replacement, with original hands retained, is standard and doesn't meaningfully affect collector value.
Dial finish. Given the variety of dial treatments Manley used, condition assessment really needs to be done piece by piece — a faux marble dial ages differently to a metallic one, and wear patterns that would be a problem on one finish might be barely noticeable on another.
At RetroTime
We regularly source Manley starburst clocks, including the distinctive 24-spoke teak and walnut design. Every piece is individually assessed, honestly described, and fitted with a new silent movement where the original can't be reliably restored.
Browse our current Sunburst & Starburst clock listings →
Looking for a specific Manley piece? Get in touch — we're always sourcing and happy to keep an eye out.