Metamec Model 701 Mantel Clock – Production No. 66, 1947 Founding Year, Art Deco, Quartz

Metamec Model 701 mantel clock — production number 66. This is among the earliest surviving examples of the very first clock Metamec ever produced, built at their Dereham, Norfolk factory in 1947, the company's founding year. Fully working with a new silent quartz movement, in exceptional vintage condition.

A Piece of British Horological History

Metamec began as an offshoot of wartime furniture manufacturer Jentique, which spent the war producing instrument and bomb boxes for the Ministry of Defence. When the war ended, founder Captain Bernard Smart turned the factory's surplus wood and brass to a new purpose — making clocks. The Model 701 was the first clock they ever made; production number 66 places this example within the first weeks of the Dereham factory's clock production, before Metamec became one of Britain's largest clock manufacturers, employing 750 people and producing 25,000 clocks per week at its peak.

The Clock Itself

The Art Deco wooden case features distinctive spherical side supports and an architectural base, with warm figured wood grain and a chrome bezel that gives it a refined, striking presence. Originally a mains-powered synchronous electric clock, this example has been professionally converted to a modern silent quartz movement for reliable everyday use — crucially, the original electric motor cover has been retained, preserving the clock's authentic appearance and historical integrity.

Specifications

Free tracked delivery across the UK. We ship to the United States and internationally — please message us before ordering for an accurate quote. All import duties and taxes are covered upfront for US orders, with no surprise fees on delivery. Every item is packed carefully to ensure it arrives safely.

Please note: as stated in our shop policy, buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply outside the UK. US orders are the exception — duties are covered upfront by us.