LEIGH Extence

Fine Antique Clocks

Dealer & Consultant

Leigh Extence is a third-generation antique dealer based in Devon, just a few miles from where his grandparents opened their first shop in 1928. After leaving school he took up a three-year apprenticeship in clockmaking & restoration with the intention of learning as much as possible about the workings of antique clocks as well as gaining knowledge in originality of the movements, cases and dials. Having finished his time he was offered the position of Manager & Assistant Buyer of the Antique Clock department within Harrods in Knightsbridge where he met with a number of well-known collectors and dealers and advised in the purchase of clocks for the department. After a couple of years in London Leigh was asked by the well-known leading horological dealer & author, Derek Roberts, to take on the rôle of his right-hand man and manager in Tonbridge, Kent. Whilst working with Derek he travelled extensively abroad dealing & advising various collectors and institutions as well as helping in the set-up of a number of the well known 'Derek Roberts' exhibitions. It was at this point, catching Derek's infectious enthusiasm, that Leigh's interest in research really took hold and he now has a library of over one thousand books on horology with which to turn to in his various rôles. A number of years later a change in direction saw Leigh move back to Devon where he opened his own showroom, now located in Honiton, having undertaken a number of exhibitions and lecture tours in Zurich.

Leigh is also in demand as an horological consultant and for a number of years was the specialist, and sometime presenter, on the BBC's 'The Antiques Show'. He is currently the antique clock specialist, valuer and cataloguer for leading provincial auctioneers 'Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood' and is a partner in the Fine Art Consultancy & Valuation firm Ashtons. As an avid writer Leigh supplies a number of newspapers & magazines with articles on antique clocks and other subjects allied to the antiques trade.

In 2004 Leigh was proud to be elected a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers being raised to the Livery in 2005.

All clocks offered for sale having been chosen for their originality, condition and appeal. All have been fully restored to the highest standards and come with a two year working guarantee along with a Valuation for Insurance and details of the research undertaken on each particular piece.

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