The first round dial tavern clocks in this format appeared around 1760-70. This fine example by William Stevens of Cirencester dates to about 1775. It has exceptional finely cut ears, roman and arabic numerals, a counterbalanced minute hand. The door has a concave top with fine chinoiserie which developed significantly as this format emerged as the doors are about twice the size of the earlier shield dials which had become unfashionable by this date. The dimensions are typical of the "standard design" with a height of 59 inches and a dial diameter of 30 inches.

Image courtesy of Carter Marsh & Co.

By around 1780 most round dials were being painted with a white background with both roman and arabic numerals in common use. The minute hand is still counterbalanced and prominent well cut and figured ears were still the norm and this continued until the end of the century. This fine example is by John Harris of Keninghall (sic) and was made around 1780 in a very small  village in Norfolk. Harris is known to have made a tavern clock for the nearby Gissing Hall and this may indeed be it as no other has come to light. A Tavernicus restoration and the clock is now back in its home county

Towards the end of the 18th century smaller tavern clocks became more common as the scale of the earlier designs reduced to about 40 inches in height as compared with up to 60 inches for the majority of clocks. This example by James Higgs of Wallingford dates to c.1790. The movement has a 5 wheel train and winds counter clockwise and has a reinstated passing strike. Despite the relatively short trunk the clock runs for 9 days.

There is a near twin to this clock by the same maker. Both are signed on the dial which is unusual but in this instance both are correct as there is no space above the doors.

This late clock by Allam of London was happily rescued by Tavernicus. It is a family heirloom which was in a distressed state. Not all the imperfections were airbrushed out which is an art itself. At one time the then owner had installed an electric movement and had set aside the original brass movement. Fortunately this was retained and when the clock had passed down the generations everything was "in the box" to revive this lovely timepiece. New hands were made in the Vulliamy style as the movement is internally counterbalanced. Date c.1800.