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Thomas Gaunt, Watchmaker & Jeweller (1829-1890)
Image: Certificate - Melbourne International Exhibition 1880-1881
Source: Museum Victoria
Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne’s leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business in Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade, and Gaunt’s shop quickly became a Melbourne institution.
Gaunt proudly advertised that he was ‘The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies’. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt’s name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt’s received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock, and used this signal to rate and repair ship’s chronometers and good quality watches.
His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade.
Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focussed on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical goldware and silverware, including for St Patrick’s Cathedral.
There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt’s workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years.
Gaunt died in 1890, leaving a substantial estate of 41,453 pounds. The firm continued to operate under the name of T. Gaunt & Co.
References:
The Argus (24 July 1875), p.10.
The Argus (3 Nov 1876), p.5.
Bolton H.C. & Williams, N.H. (1998). ‘Scientific instrument makers and dealers in Victoria, 1840-1914’, Historical Records of Australian Science, 12: pp.15-82.
M>Cyclopedia of Victoria (1904). ‘T. Gaunt & Co.’ 2: pp.166-167.
Table Talk (18 July 1890), pp.16-17.
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Display Clock - T. Gaunt & Co, Melbourne, circa 1880s
Wooden display clock used by clockmaker and jeweller Thomas Gaunt in his shop, Bourke Street, Melbourne. The clock was probably made circa 1880s and remained as a display clock at T. G ...
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Longcase Clock Movement - England, circa 1880
Brass English longcase clock movement, circa 1880. Dial marked 'T. Gaunt Melbourne', probably indicating retailer rather than maker.
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Certificate - Honourable Mention, Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia, Thomas Gaunt, 1 ...
Certificate awarded to Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne by the Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia, Melbourne, 1866-67. Awarded for an exhibit of spectacles by the jury of Section XVII. Pri ...
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Recording Clock - England, Late 19th Century
Tell-tale recording clock or watchman's clock, England, late 19th century. Retailed Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne. The watchman making his round would press pins at the appropriate time. The ...
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Turret Clock - Eastern Market, Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne, 1879
Turret clock installed at Eastern Market, corner Bourke and Exhibition Streets, Melbourne. Made by Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne, 1879. The clock was installed when the Eastern Market was re ...
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Wall Clock - Customs House, Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne, 1877
Wall clock originally installed in the Long Room of the Customs House, Flinders Street, Melbourne in 1877. Clock made by Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne. The clock was controlled by electrical ...
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Turret Clock Movement - Victorian Railways, 1882
Turret clock movement, made by Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne, 1882. The clock was originally installed on a tower at the Elizabeth Street entrance of Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, in 1 ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
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Wall Clock - Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne, circa 1890
Wall clock, cedar case, Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne, circa 1890.
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Thermograph - T. Gaunt & Co., Melbourne, Victoria, pre 1910
Recording thermometer in a glass case, made by T. Gaunt & Co, Melbourne. Graph indicates temperature changes over one week. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
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Thermometer - Fahrenheit, T. Gaunt & Co., London & Melbourne, pre 1900
Fahrenheit thermometer, made by T. Gaunt & Co., London & Melbourne. Range 0 to 120 degrees. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0
