St Magnus has had a tower clock since at least the mid-16th century. The clock was a well-known landmark in the City as it hung over the roadway of old London Bridge. The post-Fire tower clock was made at a cost of £485 5s 4d by Langley Bradley of Fenchurch Street, who worked for Wren on many other projects including the clock for the new St Paul’s Cathedral. It was presented to the church in 1709 by Sir Charles Duncombe (Alderman for the Ward of Bridge Within and, in 1708/09, Lord Mayor of London).
Tradition says “that it was erected in consequence of a vow made by the donor, who, in the earlier part of his life, had once to wait a considerable time in a cart upon London Bridge, without being able to learn the hour, when he made a promise, that if he ever became successful in the world, he would give to that Church a public clock … that all passengers might see the time of day.”
The clock case was originally adorned with gilt figures of St Magnus, St Margaret, Atlas and Hercules and two cupids, but these were replaced with a plain pediment in 1807. The clock, case and carved timber bracket have been restored a number of times over the years, most recently in 2007.