Derval Antiques

At the beginning of 2018 we took over the running of Derval Antiques, the last antique clock business of Derek Roberts, which now runs alongside Leigh Extence Antiques.

Derek was one of the foremost horological dealers and wrote a number of highly regarded books on the subject including the mammoth three volume set on Precision Pendulum Clocks along with others on Longcase Clocks, Carriage Clocks, Skeleton Clocks and the definitive work on Mystery & Novelty Clocks.

Derek was one of the first dealers to produce regular quarterly catalogues and his name is internationally recognised in the world of horology.

Leigh Extence

Leigh Extence started his horological life in 1981 with a three year apprentice as a clockmaker on the wilds of Dartmoor before taking on the management of the Antique Clock department in Harrods, Knightsbridge.

He then moved to Kent as right-hand man to well-known dealer and author Derek Roberts, following which he set up on his own account having moved back down to Devon.

In 2006 Leigh was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and raised to the Livery the following year.

Leigh is also the horological consultant to the Exeter auctioneers Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood.

Carriage Clock Research

I have been researching the clocks and lives of two of the great Parisian carriage clock makers Henri Jacot & Pierre Drocourt, along with their families and associates including Holingue frères and the Baveux family. This research has extended to others with close connections including Fernier, Bourdin and the Delépine family of Saint Nicolas d'Aliermont.

Numerous hours in Paris pouring over documents in the Bibliothèque Nationale as well as visiting the homes & workshops of these makers are summarised in the two published exhibition catalogues along with various articles.

The research is very much ongoing and so I would grateful to hear of any clocks or information relating to these makers to add to the database.

News & Publications

My latest article being the study of an anonymous carriage clock showing how forensic research into the clock and those who contributed to its making, including the dial maker and spring maker, allowed me to attribute it to one of the great early makers, Paul Garnier.

A resurfaced interview I gave with Clocks Magazine from March 2014. Only the numbers of clocks examined has changed!

In September 2018 I was elected a Director of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Chapter 195 specialising in Carriage Clocks.

We are proud members of the British Antique Dealers Association; one with the highest criteria for membership and which adheres to a strict code of conduct.