The "Tick-Tock"
The heritage of Smiths/Ingersoll watches and clocks, Gurnos Works, Ystradgynlais. 1946-1980

by Mansel Jones

Local historian and former engineer at the "Tick-Tock", Mr Mansel Jones has recorded the history of the watch and clock industry in the Upper Swansea Valley and has kindly made his research on this important aspect of the economic and social history of the area available to the project. This is an edited version of the above book. Not included here is the contribution by Mr J.A. Delaney, retired works manager in the latter years of the Anglo-Celtic Watch Company Ltd - "The Watchmaking Years (Manufacturing)".

The work is in a foreword and three parts.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS by Mansel Jones
I would like to thank the following for their contributions and help during the seven years that it has taken to produce this work:

Mr J.A. Delany, Mr C.J. Prior-Clarke, Mr J.W. Cooper, Mr D.B. Jenkins, Mr J.W. Holmes, Mr D.H. Griffiths, Mr J. Elias, Mr H.G. Evans, Mrs M. Parkhouse, Mr P. Evans (photographer), Ms Janet Morgan and Mrs Jane Williams for typing the text.
Mr M. Fletcher, The Pensioner, Smiths Industries PLC, London
Mr T. Robinson of the Horological Journal
Mr N. Fowler of the Western Mail
Mr G. Edwards of the South Wales Evening Post
Mr.W.M.G. Evans and Mrs H. Bartlett of the British Horological Institute, Newark, Notts.
Mr. Gwyn Jenkins, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Mr Richard Livsey, MP
The Rt. Hon. Alun Michael MP, former Secretary of State for Wales
Mr Gavin Hooson of Powys Digital History Project

I greatly appreciate the following Sponsors for their financial help in meeting some of the costs:
The late Mr. W.B. Jones, Abercraf, Swansea
Mr I. Petherick, Ystradgynlais, Swansea
Mr D. Moore, Brecknock Museum
Mr R. Bayliss and Sir Roger Hurn of Smiths Industries PLC, 765 Finchley Rd, London NW11 8DS
Mr R.J. Tibber of Ingersoll Ltd, 39 Waterloo Rd, London NW2 7TT
Councillors D. Morgan and B. Rees of Ystradgynlais Community Council for their grant.