The Chamberlain Clock

The clock, made by W.F.Evans & Sons of Handsworth, was installed in 1903 as a memorial to Joseph Chamberlain MP. An icon of the Jewellery Quarter, the Grade II listed clock is a landmark at the crossroads of historic routes into the Quarter. A panel on the history of the clock can be found nearby in Golden Square.

Restoration Project

In 2020 the clock was in poor condition, and it was removed for conservation, with funding from the Jewellery Quarter Townscape Heritage (JQTH) and the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID).

The cast iron clock tower was corroding in places, and there was damage to its plinth.  Paintwork emphasising architectural details had worn away and the clock mechanism no longer worked.  The clock was dismantled and taken to Smith of Derby’s workshop, along with the four cast iron directional bollards, for conservation and repair. It was reinstated in early 2021.

2 Visions 2 Legacies

This project investigates the history and significance of the Chamberlain Clock and the life of Joseph Chamberlain, as well as the life and legacy of Warrulan; an Aboriginal Australian who is buried in the Jewellery Quarter. We focus on telling balanced narratives and including the diverse voices of our fantastic city of Birmingham.

Find out more