The armorial bearings which dominate the dial of the Newgate  Street Clock are those of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. The Company was founded in 1631, but did not apply for arms until 1671

The original grant, signed by Sir Edward Walker "Knight Garter Principall King of Armes of Englishmen" names a number of  very distinguished watch and clockmakers, who made up the Court of the Company at the time. They include Edward East , Nicholas Coxeter, Jeffrey Bailey and John Nicasius. Sir Edward's grant specifies a black shield with a clock on it, the four pillars of which must sit on four lions and be capped with four orbs.  In the middle must be a gold Imperial crown. The crest  is a gold sphere. The "supporters", on either side of the shield are " a naked old man holding a scithe and an hour glasse representing Time" and "an Emperour in roabes crowned, holding a scepter". The motto is "Tempus Rerum Imperator", which translates as "Time is the  ruler of all things."

The purpose was no doubt to remind the citizens of London that however grand they may become, however rich and however powerful, everyone remains subject to the passage of time.

The illustration (above) shows the actual engraved metal arms, made for the Newgate Street clock in stainless steel and photographed before the final assembly of the dial.