John Cronin served a traditional apprenticeship as a watchmaker and, after winning several awards, was elected a Fellow of the British Horological Institute (BHI). After fifteen years in the watch and jewellery business he gained a history degree and teaching qualifications, starting a twenty-year career teaching history in a large comprehensive school. Taking early retirement from teaching, his fascination in timepieces led to a business in horological conservation. In 1994 he was the winner of the Artist Craftsman competition of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and was awarded a Fellowship by Gift of this ancient company. Since then, he has been involved with the Institute of Conservation (ICON) and the BHI, helping to promote standards in professional conservation. He has had published several articles in the British Horological Journal and a book The Marine Chronometer (Crowood).