Knibb’s Phase I Clocks ascribed to Joseph Knibb’s so-called Phase I ebony-veneered cases are categorised as such based on the inclusion of stylistic elements identified by Ronald Lee, who was a leading authority on English clocks and the author of The Knibb Family, Clockmakers. According to Lee, Phase I clocks are those that appear to have been designed and partly made by Samuel Knibb, Joseph’s cousin. These clocks all share the same basic case style; however, there are often mechanical differences between them. There are about twenty surviving Phase I Knibb clocks, including the Dutch Striking Spring Clock made around 1672 (coming soon to Clocktime). Regarding the question of Samuel’s contribution to the making of the Phase I clocks, it is impossible to attribute an artisan’s authorship to each and every component of a clock, because clockmaking was inherently collaborative. Also, Joseph’s clockmaking journey, especially during the earlier years of his career, was bound up in Samuel’s. Around 1663, Samuel joined the Clockmakers’ Company after leaving Oxford and setting up his highly regarded workshop in London. Sadly, his career was cut short when he died in what was probably the last London wave of the Great Plague, around 1670. Joseph then left Oxford to take over the running of Samuel’s London workshop. Based on their signatures, we know that some of these clocks were made in London. It follows that Joseph could have made use of partially completed designs and stock that Samuel left behind for the clocks that were made around the time, or not long after, Joseph assumed control of Samuel’s business.