James Ivory rose to considerable eminence as a renowned clockmaker in Dundee and throughout the United Kingdom.

[2] He was entrusted with the making of the clock for the steeple of St. Andrew's Parish Church in the Cowgate area of Dundee in 1774 which is still in use today.

It was while acting in this capacity that his eldest son, mathematician Sir James Ivory, was appointed one of the teachers at the Dundee Academy.

Most of his pocket watches would have had "beetle and poker"-style hands, white enamel faces, and baluster-style pillars.

Being an engraver himself, he created most if not all of the work on his movements vs. sourcing finished parts from other suppliers as was common practice by others.

During the time of his career, most other watchmakers were reducing the amount of aesthetic detailing put into the decorations and engravings on their movements.

Most of this was due in part to the introduction of dust covers being used on pocket watch movements in the late 18th century.