The St. Pancras International Railway Station Clock

The original clock that once presided over the station was purchased by an American collector for £250,000. However, a mishap occurred during its removal, causing it to shatter into countless fragments. These remnants were then acquired by Roland Hoggard, a retiring locomotive engineer, for a mere £25.

This event marked the beginning of the journey for the station's current clock. Dent was selected to craft a new clock for the station platform, with a focus on salvaging as much of the original design as possible. The team visited Mr. Hoggard and, with his approval, made casts of the original clock's chapter ring. They also sent off samples of the slate used in the numerals for analysis to pinpoint the original quarry. Employing both contemporary methods and materials, yet aiming to remain true to the station's architectural spirit, Dent restored the clock. It now features new slate numerals, a dial spanning 18 feet, embellishments in 23 carat gold leaf, and custom paint and mouldings that echo the original design, all nestled among 60 million newly laid bricks, 18,000 pieces of self-cleaning glass, and 300,000 new slate tiles.

The extensive £800 million renovation culminated in the reopening of St. Pancras International by Queen Elizabeth II in November 2007. Today, the station serves 50 million travelers annually, ranking it among Europe's most frequented hubs.