Gilbert Clock Company History (1828 – 1964)

Founding and Early Years (1828 – 1866)

The origins of what would become the Gilbert Clock Company trace back to December 1828, when William Lewis Gilbert (1807–1890) and his brother-in-law George Marsh purchased a small clock business serving the Farmington and Bristol, Connecticut area. Initially operating as Marsh, Gilbert & Company, the business struggled with the complexities of early American clock-making but laid the foundation for a long-lived enterprise. Over the next decade, the company underwent several name changes as Gilbert partnered with other clock-makers, becoming Birge, Gilbert & Company in 1837 and later Jerome, Grant, Gilbert & Company that same year. In this period the firm produced affordable brass-movement clocks that were in high demand across the region. 

In October 1841, Gilbert moved the company to Winchester (Winsted), Connecticut, partnering with Lucius Clarke under the name Clarke, Gilbert & Company. By 1845, Gilbert acquired full ownership, operating as W. L. Gilbert & Company and focusing on inexpensive brass-movement clocks that helped make timekeeping more accessible to American households. 

Reorganization and Growth (1866 – 1900)

In 1866, the business reorganized as the Gilbert Manufacturing Company, a joint-stock company intended to expand production capabilities. The company continued to manufacture clocks at the Winchester facility until April 2, 1871, when a devastating fire destroyed the plant. Undeterred, Gilbert and his partners quickly reformed the business as the William L. Gilbert Clock Company just three months later in July 1871. They built a new factory complex with two four-story brick buildings, marking the start of a period of significant growth and increased capacity. 

Under the leadership of general manager George B. Owen, who had joined the company in 1866, the firm expanded its product lines and patented several movement innovations. A new case shop was added in 1897, followed by storage, shipping, and office buildings by 1902, solidifying the company’s presence as a major employer and clock producer in Winsted. 

Challenges and Mid-Century Transitions (1907 – 1934)

The onset of the 1907 recession strained the company financially, and by 1914 George B. Owen and his sons were compelled to relinquish control. Bankruptcy was narrowly avoided that year, and Charles E. Williams was appointed manager, guiding the company through the tumultuous years leading into the Great Depression. Despite mounting pressure from economic decline and competition from emerging technologies, Gilbert continued producing clocks through the 1920s. 

In September 1932, the firm entered receivership as the Depression eroded sales and the costs of developing new electronic clock lines mounted. A successor entity, the William L. Gilbert Clock Corporation, was formed on July 20, 1934, allowing the business to continue operating. During World War II, the company gained a temporary advantage by producing clocks with non-metal cases, such as molded paper-mâché models, which enabled ongoing production when many manufacturers suspended metal-dependent lines. 

Final Years and Legacy (1945 – 1964)

After the war, the company posted modest profits and even diversified into other precision products, tooling up in 1954 to produce equipment such as adding machines for the General Computing Machines Corporation. However, persistent financial challenges and declining demand for traditional mechanical clocks continued to hamper profitability. By 1957, the firm was taken over by General and ultimately sold to Spartus Corporation of Chicago in December 1964, marking the end of the Gilbert Clock Company’s direct involvement in clock manufacturing. 

Despite its closure, the Gilbert Clock Company remains a significant chapter in American horological history — known for producing a wide range of wall, shelf, mantel, and alarm clocks that balanced affordability with dependable mechanical design during more than a century of operation. 

Legacy and Collectibility

Collectors today value Gilbert clocks for their historical importance, variety of styles, and representation of American clock-making during a period when the industry transitioned from handcrafted timepieces to industrial production. Original Gilbert clocks — especially those from the late 19th and early 20th centuries — are prized for their craftsmanship, design, and the story they embody about Connecticut’s rich horological heritage. 

Whether inherited, discovered in an antique collection, or cherished as a family heirloom, Gilbert clocks reflect the ingenuity and persistence of early American clock-makers. If your Gilbert clock isn’t running correctly, needs cleaning, or requires professional restoration, Clock Repair Studio provides expert evaluation and service for clocks with classic mechanical movements.