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{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Christopher Pinchbeck
| honorific_suffix = the elder
| image = Christopher Pinchbeck.jpg
| monochrome engraved illustration of a half-length portrait of a man, in an ornate wig, holding a pocket watch
| caption = Print made by [[John Faber Junior|John Faber the Younger]], after [[Isaac Whood]]
| birth_date = c.1670 – November 18, 1732
| birth_place = [[Clerkenwell]], [[England]]
| death_date = {{Death date|1732|11|18|df=y}}
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline}} -->
| monuments =
| residence =
| nationality = [[English people|English]]
| occupation = [[Clockmaker]]
| known_for = [[Pinchbeck (alloy)|Pinchbeck alloy]]
| notable_works =
| spouse =
| children =
| awards =
}}


'''Christopher Pinchbeck''' (c.1670 – November 18, 1732) was a [[London]] [[clockmaker]] and maker of musical [[Automaton|Automata]]. He was born in [[Clerkenwell]] but worked in [[Fleet Street]]. Probably his name was derived from [[Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire]]. In the 18th century he invented the alloy [[Pinchbeck (alloy)|Pinchbeck]] a cheap substitute for [[gold]]. He made an exquisite musical clock, worth about £500, for [[Louis XIV]], and a fine organ for the [[Great Mogul]], valued at £300. His eldest son, also named Christopher (1710–1783) became King's Clockmaker by appointment to [[George III]]: among his timepieces is an important astronomical clock made for the King, now in [[Buckingham Palace]].


{{refimprove|date=January 2013}}
A number of clocks and watches made by both Christopher Pinchbecks still exist. Nowadays the term 'Pinchbeck Watch' may mean a watch made by Christopher senior or junior, a watch made by another maker and housed in a [[Pinchbeck (alloy)|Pinchbeck]] case, or a watch made by [[Harold Pinchbeck]], the 21st Century family watchmaking business in England.
[[File:Christopher Pinchbeck.jpg|thumb|upright|Print made by [[John Faber Junior|John Faber the Younger]], after [[Isaac Whood]]|alt=monochrome engraved illustration of a half-length portrait of a man, in an ornate wig, holding a pocket watch]]


'''Christopher Pinchbeck''' (c. 1670 – {{Death date|1732|11|18|df=y}}) was a [[London]] [[clockmaker]] and maker of musical [[Automaton|Automata]]. He was born in [[Clerkenwell]], England, but worked in [[Fleet Street]]. His name was probably derived from [[Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire]].
== Idiomatic Use ==


==Career==
Because of his work with alloys, the term "pinchbeck" has entered the [[English language|English]] vocabulary, signifying the alloy he created. Also, because the alloy could be used to replace gold, something less than genuine; a counterfeit; a fake; a sham or fraud. For example, "Pinchbeck heroism" is displayed in many action movies.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pinchbeck</ref>
In the 18th century Pinchbeck invented his [[Pinchbeck (alloy)|eponymous alloy]], a cheap substitute for [[gold]]. He made an exquisite musical clock, worth about £500, for [[Louis XIV]], and a fine organ for the [[Great Mogul]], valued at £300. His eldest son, also named Christopher (1710–1783) became King's Clockmaker by appointment to [[George III]]: among his timepieces is an important astronomical clock made for the King, now in [[Buckingham Palace]].

A number of clocks and watches made by both Christopher Pinchbecks still exist. Nowadays the term 'Pinchbeck Watch' may mean a watch made by Christopher senior or junior, a watch made by another maker and housed in a [[Pinchbeck (alloy)|Pinchbeck]] case, or a watch made by [[Harold Pinchbeck]], the 21st-century family watchmaking business in England.

== Idiomatic use ==

Because of his work with alloys, the term "pinchbeck" has entered the [[English language|English]] vocabulary, signifying the alloy he created. Because the alloy could be used to replace gold, the word is also used to signify something less than genuine; a counterfeit; a fake; a sham or fraud.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pinchbeck</ref>


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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| NAME =Pinchbeck, Cristopher
| NAME =Pinchbeck, Cristopher
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =maker of clocks and automata
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1670
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1670
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =Clerkenwell, England
| DATE OF DEATH = 1732
| DATE OF DEATH = 18 November 1732
| PLACE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
}}

Revision as of 02:03, 18 January 2013


monochrome engraved illustration of a half-length portrait of a man, in an ornate wig, holding a pocket watch
Print made by John Faber the Younger, after Isaac Whood

Christopher Pinchbeck (c. 1670 – (1732-11-18)18 November 1732) was a London clockmaker and maker of musical Automata. He was born in Clerkenwell, England, but worked in Fleet Street. His name was probably derived from Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire.

Career

In the 18th century Pinchbeck invented his eponymous alloy, a cheap substitute for gold. He made an exquisite musical clock, worth about £500, for Louis XIV, and a fine organ for the Great Mogul, valued at £300. His eldest son, also named Christopher (1710–1783) became King's Clockmaker by appointment to George III: among his timepieces is an important astronomical clock made for the King, now in Buckingham Palace.

A number of clocks and watches made by both Christopher Pinchbecks still exist. Nowadays the term 'Pinchbeck Watch' may mean a watch made by Christopher senior or junior, a watch made by another maker and housed in a Pinchbeck case, or a watch made by Harold Pinchbeck, the 21st-century family watchmaking business in England.

Idiomatic use

Because of his work with alloys, the term "pinchbeck" has entered the English vocabulary, signifying the alloy he created. Because the alloy could be used to replace gold, the word is also used to signify something less than genuine; a counterfeit; a fake; a sham or fraud.[1]

Notes

References

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