About me
Hello, I'm Simon...I built this website and started this project out of a newfound interest and appreciation for the overall design of the Gents' of Leicester clocks and associated marketing material the firm produced.
I've spent many years in the branding and marketing industry, creating websites and digital strategy for some of the world's largest brands. I figured I'd use that experience to start this project.
Here you’ll find information about Gents’ of Leicester products, an ongoing index of electric clocks and printed material still in circulation (contributed by those that own said clocks and material). After starting my newfound interest in Gent’s clocks, I realised that there is not a lot of information online, ergo, the aim of this project is to build a better understanding of how the Gents’ firm operated and how the overall design of the products and marketing collateral evolved from 1872, when the business was established in Leicester by John Thomas Gent, until 1981, when the Gents’ of Leicester business was taken over by Chloride- and seemingly ceased to produce electric clocks.
Feel free to make suggestions how I can make improvements to the website and I’ll add them to the to-do list. This website consists of three main areas:-
Gents' Index
An ongoing index of Gents’ clocks and marketing material that still exist today, see the submissions by those that own and appreciate Gents’ of Leicester clocks and printed material here.
Contribute
A form to submit details about the Gents’ clock or marketing material you own. I’m not asking for personal details, just details about the products.
Blog
Here you’ll find a mixture of thoughts and opinions about the Gents’ of Leicester brand and business and also digitised version of the brochure and other Gents’ material.
What you'll find here.
If you own a Gents' of Leicester clock, or other materials related to Gents' brochures or adverting, then feel free to contribute to the index.
Gents' Clocks
From master clocks to slaves, to process timers to distribution boards.
Collateral
The product catalogues, especially dating from the 1950 are very well designed.
Advertising
I find the design of the advertising very interesting and humorous for it’s time.
Literature
From letters written to accompany brochures requests to pricing information and quotations.
Contribute to this Gents' index.
Own a Gents' clock?
So… if you own a Gents’ of Leicester clock, please document it here and together we can display a consolidated index of a piece of time in history.