Metamec
Metamec was a British manufacturer and brand of domestic clocks, known especially for mid-century and modernist designs.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Metamec was a British domestic-clock manufacturer based in East Dereham, Norfolk. The business developed from Jentique, a furniture manufacturer that produced boxes for instruments and bombs during the Second World War. Metamec began as an offshoot of that operation around 1941, and the name was derived from the words “metal-work and mechanics.” Its first known clock model was the mains-powered mantel clock numbered 701, produced at approximately the beginning of the post-war period in 1947. The company’s early development reflected the expansion of British consumer manufacturing after the war. Metamec initially relied on movements obtained from other clock companies, but investment in machinery allowed it to manufacture its own movements and broaden its product range. The factory expanded substantially during the 1960s and 1970s, when the business became one of the United Kingdom’s most significant clock manufacturers. At its height, the Dereham operation employed approximately 750 people, produced around 350 clock models, and made roughly 25,000 clocks each week. Metamec’s products covered domestic clock formats including mantel clocks and other decorative and functional household clocks. The brand became particularly associated with large “sunburst” clocks using combinations of chrome, teak, and brass. These designs corresponded with the modernist and mid-century interiors of their period and later became recognizable examples of British post-war domestic design. The company’s importance was therefore not limited to volume manufacturing: its products also became part of the visual culture of British homes and are now encountered in vintage and design-collecting contexts. The business came under pressure during the 1980s as German clock manufacturers gained ground and imports from the Far East increased competition in the British market. Metamec entered receivership in December 1984. In January 1985, FKI of Halifax, West Yorkshire, purchased the business and continued using the Metamec name until 1993. The East Dereham site was subsequently operated by Ross Consumer Electronics, while production was moved to the company’s site near Southampton. That operation closed in 1994. The name did not disappear entirely after the closure of the original manufacturing operation. Reference material states that, by 2016, the Metamec name was being used by a Derbyshire-based clock manufacturer called Metamec Limited. The available material does not establish the current ownership, corporate continuity, website, or operating status of that later user of the name. Metamec is therefore best understood as a historically important British clock brand with later documented brand use, rather than as a clearly documented active international corporation.
History
Metamec originated as an offshoot of Jentique, a furniture manufacturer in East Dereham, Norfolk. Around 1941, during the Second World War, Jentique was involved in making boxes for instruments and bombs. The later Metamec name referred to metalworking and mechanics, reflecting the company’s eventual focus on clock manufacture. The first identified Metamec product was model 701, a mains-powered mantel clock produced at approximately the beginning of the post-war period in 1947. In its early years, the company used movements sourced from other clock manufacturers. It subsequently purchased machinery that enabled it to make its own movements, strengthening its manufacturing independence and supporting a wider range of domestic clock designs. Metamec expanded significantly during the 1960s and 1970s. Its East Dereham factory grew in size and became a high-volume manufacturing site. At its peak, the company reportedly employed about 750 people, offered approximately 350 clock models, and produced around 25,000 clocks per week. This scale made Metamec the largest clock manufacturer in the United Kingdom at the time, according to the reference material. The brand produced household clocks in several formats and became especially associated with large sunburst designs incorporating chrome, teak, and brass. These clocks combined practical timekeeping with decorative styling and are strongly linked with the modernist domestic interiors of the mid-century and later post-war period. Metamec’s reputation consequently rests both on its industrial output and on the collectability and visual recognition of certain designs. During the 1980s, the company’s position weakened. Competition from German clock manufacturers and imports from the Far East placed pressure on British production. Metamec entered receivership in December 1984. FKI, based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, acquired the company in January 1985 and retained the Metamec name until 1993. The former East Dereham site was then operated by Ross Consumer Electronics, and manufacturing was transferred to a Ross site near Southampton. That operation closed in 1994. Later use of the name is documented separately from the original East Dereham business. By 2016, the Metamec name was reportedly being used by a clock manufacturer based in Derbyshire and known as Metamec Limited. The available reference does not provide enough information to determine whether this later business represented a continuation of the original corporate entity, a trademark license, or an unrelated adoption of the name. Current ownership, leadership, website, and operating status therefore remain unconfirmed.
- 2016
Later use by Metamec Limited
[1]The Metamec name was documented as being used by a Derbyshire-based clock manufacturer called Metamec Limited.
- 1994
Associated production operation closes
[1]The Ross Consumer Electronics operation connected with the former Metamec manufacturing activity closed.
- 1993
FKI ends its use of the name
[1]FKI continued using the Metamec name until 1993, after which the former East Dereham site was operated by Ross Consumer Electronics.
- 1985
FKI acquisition
[1]FKI of Halifax purchased Metamec in January and continued using the Metamec name.
- 1984
Receivership
[1]Metamec entered receivership in December amid intensified competition from German manufacturers and Far Eastern imports.
- 1970
Metamec reaches large-scale British production
[1]During its peak period, Metamec employed approximately 750 people, produced about 350 models, and made roughly 25,000 clocks per week.
- 1960
Factory expansion begins during the growth period
[1]The company expanded its factory and manufacturing capabilities during the 1960s and continued growing through the 1970s.
- 1947
Model 701 is introduced
[1]The first identified Metamec clock was the mains-powered mantel clock numbered 701.
- 1941
Metamec develops from the Jentique operation
[1]Metamec began as an offshoot of Jentique, a furniture manufacturer whose wartime activities included making boxes for instruments and bombs.
Products and positioning
British domestic clock manufacturing combining industrial-scale production with decorative mid-century and modernist design. The brand was positioned around reliable household timepieces and became particularly recognizable for large sunburst clocks.
Mains-powered mantel clock · 1947
Model 701
Model 701 is identified as the first Metamec clock. It was a mains-powered mantel clock, produced at approximately the beginning of the post-war period in 1947. The model marks the brand’s early transition from its Jentique-associated origins into dedicated domestic timepiece manufacturing.
Decorative domestic clocks
Sunburst clocks
Metamec became strongly associated with large sunburst clocks made with combinations of chrome, teak, and brass. These pieces served as both household timekeepers and interior decorations, and their modernist styling made them among the brand’s most recognizable designs.
Household clocks
Metamec domestic clock range
The company manufactured a broad range of domestic clocks, reportedly reaching approximately 350 models during its peak. The range included mantel and decorative clocks, supported by factory investment that allowed Metamec to produce its own movements rather than relying exclusively on imported or externally supplied mechanisms.
Brand decisions
1993
Production is relocated and the original site changes operatorStrategyBackground
Following FKI’s period of ownership and brand use, the original East Dereham manufacturing activity was reorganized.
Action taken
Ross Consumer Electronics operated the East Dereham site, while production was moved to a Ross facility near Southampton.
Aftermath
The associated operation closed in 1994. The source does not provide further operational details.
1985
FKI acquires Metamec after receivershipM&ABackground
Metamec entered receivership in December 1984 as competition from German clock makers and Far Eastern imports intensified.
Action taken
FKI of Halifax purchased the business in January 1985 and continued using the Metamec name.
Aftermath
The name remained in use until 1993. The former East Dereham site was later operated by Ross Consumer Electronics, while production moved to a site near Southampton.
Recent events
- 2016
Metamec name documented in use by a Derbyshire clock manufacturer[1]
Other
Reference material states that the Metamec name was being used by Derbyshire-based clock manufacturer Metamec Limited. The available source does not establish the company’s current status or its legal relationship to the earlier manufacturer.
- 1994
East Dereham operation closes[1]
Other
The Ross Consumer Electronics operation associated with the former Metamec production activity closed in 1994.
- 1993
Production moves from East Dereham toward Southampton[1]
Other
After FKI ceased using the name, the East Dereham site was operated by Ross Consumer Electronics and production was moved to a Ross site near Southampton.
- 1985
FKI purchases Metamec[1]
M&A
FKI of Halifax, West Yorkshire, purchased Metamec in January 1985 and continued to use the brand name until 1993.
- 1984
Metamec enters receivership[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Metamec entered receivership in December 1984 after facing stronger competition from German clock manufacturers and Far Eastern imports.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/metamec · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled