Joseph Johnson

Who was Joseph Johnson?

Joseph Johnson of Liverpool, England, was a highly respected and successful British master clock, watch and chronometer maker.

He was a nonconformist who was married to Alice and who worked in Liverpool from 1795 to about 1827. He is known to have worked from a factory at 25 Church Street. Initially, his business traded from 26/27 Church Street and, later on, from 48/49 Church Street. This detail is often found on the movement of his watches. After his death, on 2 March 1827, his son and grandson continued his business. His watches are of high quality and often in precious metal cases. Joseph Johnson had a preference for using fully jewelled watch movements. He is credited with inventing several design improvements to the pocket watch and watch movement. His watches were commonly used on U.S. railroads, before the establishment of the U.S. watch industry.