Mark Solari wrote to me from Australia to pass on the following information
Solari clocks were first porduced in a village named Pesariis in the Friulli region of northern Italy many bell tower clocks in this area are Solari Clocks, including the main town clock of the city of Udine.
I think the first recorded clock was made around 1600.
Legend has it that a sailor or pirate/ navagational master arived from Spain and docked in Genova Italy and ended up in Pesariis Italy and with him he brought the technology to build clocks.
There is actualy a small clock museum operating in the village of Pesariis even today..
The original clock factory remains in operation in the town of Pesariis with a newer factory based in Udine who now make digital departure/arrival boards at some air ports.