History

Progress In Time : A History Of Our Trade Charity

The National Benevolent Society of Watch and Clock Makers as we know it today was formed from the amalgamation of three charities, the Benevolent Institution, the Pension Society and the Asylum (refuge or sanctuary).

1815 -  The Watch and Clockmakers’ Benevolent Institution

This charity was the first of its kind and was established by employers at a time when the state of the trade was very poor, there was hardship amongst those employed in the watch and clock industry and little help was available to workers suffering financial difficulty. Clerkenwell, the centre of the industry, saw great suffering and charitable help was essential.

1817 -  The Watch and Clockmakers’ Pension Society

Following in the trailblazing footsteps of the Benevolent Institution, this Society provided pensions to trade workers who paid a regular subscription.

1854 -  The Clock and Watchmakers Asylum 

The Asylum (meaning refuge or sanctuary) offered more than just a pension to those who subscribed to the fund, they also provided cutting edge cottages, the first ‘trade’ alms-houses to be built in the UK. Before the introduction of state pensions and benefits, this charity was able to support many trade members.

1916 -  The National Benevolent Society of Watch and Clock Makers

During the dark days of WWI, the long-anticipated amalgamation of the Benevolent, Pension and Asylum charities was finally undertaken, extending the Society’s work across the whole of the United Kingdom. With likeminded aims and serving the same trade, it was agreed that combining funds and beneficiaries would be the way forward.

Current Day

The needs of beneficiaries have changed over the years and the National Benevolent Society of Watch and Clock Makers has moved with the times, away from ownership of alms-houses and pensions, towards a more flexible method of assisting larger numbers of recipients, paying qualifying beneficiaries quarterly payments.

The focus has shifted from just the watch or clockmaker at their bench, to encompass all who work, or worked within any area of the UK trade. The Society is here to support all qualifying trade members who need financial assistance.