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Watchmaker profile

Derek Pratt

Derek Pratt began a reconstruction of John Harrison's H4 in 1997 with specialist collaborators; after his work ended in 2009, Charles Frodsham & Co completed it in 2014. 2

H4 reconstruction was collaborative and not completed solely by Pratt. This source does not independently verify every other mechanism attributed to him.

At a glance

Dates
1938–2009
Also known as
Derek Francis Pratt

The watchmaking story

Useful places to start with Derek Pratt's work include H4 reconstruction (Pratt phase, 1997–2009 and Frodsham completion, 2014). 2

Sources associate Derek Pratt with Urban Jürgensen, although the precise role remains unresolved. 1234

Derek Pratt worked independently; the source does not establish an atelier name. 1234

Recognition: Prix Gaïa, Craftsmanship-Creation, 1999 3

Scope: Direct watchmaking

Why this person is included

Documented original work

Background and working context

Affiliations and workshops: Urban Jürgensen; independent workshop

Documented origin: United Kingdom

Geographic ties: United Kingdom; Switzerland. Documented workplace / industry location

Brands, workshops, and other relationships

  1. Watch brand / watchmaking business · Inherited source-linked record; relationship classification reviewed, sources not reopened

    Urban Jürgensen — Association — role unresolved. Independent watchmaker / restorer 1234

    Legacy affiliation: Urban Jürgensen; independent workshop. Person-level contribution: Began a reconstruction of John Harrison's H4 in 1997 with specialist collaborators; after his work ended in 2009, Charles Frodsham & Co completed it in 2014.

    Original affiliation wording: Urban Jürgensen; independent workshop. No present-day employment or ownership inferred.

  2. Unnamed independent practice · Inherited source-linked record; relationship classification reviewed, sources not reopened

    Independent workshop (name not established) — Own watchmaking practice. Independent watchmaker / restorer 1234

    Legacy affiliation: Urban Jürgensen; independent workshop. Person-level contribution: Began a reconstruction of John Harrison's H4 in 1997 with specialist collaborators; after his work ended in 2009, Charles Frodsham & Co completed it in 2014.

    Original affiliation wording: Urban Jürgensen; independent workshop. No present-day employment or ownership inferred.

Evidence and limitations

This dossier connects 4 field-specific evidence records with 4 public sources. Known links only; full career not established; unresolved relationship(s) remain

Claim qualifications (1)
  • Recognition: The mapping supports this award clause only, not other recognition or biographical fields. Locator: 1999 laureates, Craftsmanship-Creation. 3

Sources

  1. Derek Pratt (watchmaker)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia / tertiary · Not stated

    [S0147] Wikipedia. "Derek Pratt (watchmaker)." Not stated. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Pratt_(watchmaker) Accessed 2026-09-13.

    Source context

    Relationship to subject: Tertiary compilation

    How it was checked: Page opened; relevant text read

  2. A Detailed Study of H4Horological Society of New York · Professional institution · Not stated

    [S0175] Horological Society of New York. "A Detailed Study of H4." Not stated. https://hs-ny.org/a-detailed-study-of-h4 Accessed 2026-09-13.

    Source context

    Relationship to subject: Host of documentary description

    How it was checked: Page opened; relevant text read

    Limitation: Landing-page description read; members-only film not viewed. Credits distinguish Pratt's start from Frodsham's completion.

  3. The laureates since 1993Musée international d'horlogerie · Award-organizer record · Not stated

    [S0290] Musée international d'horlogerie. "The laureates since 1993." Not stated. https://www.mih.ch/en/the-laureats/ Accessed 2026-09-13. Locator: Award year and category, individually matched

    Source context

    Relationship to subject: Award organizer's own results list

    How it was checked: Opened and text inspected

    Limitation: Supports named recognition only. Roger Smith (2016 History-research) is not automatically Roger W. Smith the watchmaker.

  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Pratt_(watchmaker) https://hs-ny.org/a-detailed-study-of-h4 https://www.mih.ch/en/the-laureats/linked source

Corrections and stronger evidence

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