Show Us Your Mechanical Clocks!

[Shangas]

I searched rather extensively for this, but couldn't find anything, so I'm creating a thread for it. If such a thread already exists, then my apologies in advance.

I create this thread for my fellow loungers to share photographs (and stories, if any exist) behind the *mechanical* vintage or antique clocks in their lives.

It's been a dream of mine for years to own a little brass carriage clock. I have wanted one for years. But the prices these things command is scary, and they often don't work, and servicing (and even repair) costs are prohibitively high. I didn't want a battery-operated one, I wanted a mechanical one, and a mechanical one that would work and keep proper time.

Unfortunately, every clock I ever saw was either unserviced or broken or FAR too expensive for me to own, that was until this morning, when I got my hands on that which I've been after for years!

A little brass, mechanical carriage clock, in perfect working order.

The clock is not very complicated (in fact, it has no complications at all). I wound it tight and adjusted the regulator - it has kept perfect time for nearly 12 hours now. It's sitting inside my display cabinet, ticking merrily away.

From what I understand, the clock was made in England in the 1980s, and boasts an 11-jewel movement, so it's something of decent quality, not some junky thing from China. The entire clock, including the movement is all brass. I polished the double-headed key until it sparkled, but I didn't want to do anything with the clock itself.

It winds and runs fully and perfectly. I believe it was serviced recently. No jamming or stoppages of any kind.

I hope that you'll also share your beautiful vintage or antique mechanical clocks here, and any stories that come with them

 

[GHT]

That is a lovely clock, not just a timepiece but an attractive artefact in it's own right. Compliments to you.

My wife saw this, all forlorn, art deco clock, at a guess, 1950's, at a vintage fair. It was probably a cheap & cheerful sort of clock, aimed at the masses, judging by the laminate on chipboard surround. But there's something attractive about it that we love.

 

[MikeBravo]

I have picked up a few beauties, I like the mainly for the ticking as I have them spread around the lounge room.

 

[Giftmacher]

 

[3fingers]

I love mechanical clocks and I have a couple. Nothing of any value though.
My next clock project is a Western Union self winder I picked up at auction for $15.00. It is cosmetically decent, but needs a bit of work. Unfortunately, the glass is missing.
It was originally in a radio station or something I would presume since the case is the insulated model to prevent the noise being heard by the listeners.

 

[Interbak]

Here's one I picked up a little while back, 1940's Smiths 8 day ships clock. Great shape, keeps excellent time.

 

[Shangas]

Oooh that's lovely! I love old ship's clocks!!

 

[Giftmacher]

Got another Czechoslovak Kienzle.

 

[Joe50's]

Nice clocks, I have a Gilbert tambour clock that was given to me as a parts case with a pendulum bob and hands.the case had the gong in it, so I sourced a Gilbert movement that would work in place of the original. I adjusted it some and it seems to be within seconds of satellite time. My next project is a 50’s two door cuckoo that plays Faust waltz from la traviata on the hour.

 

[Joe50's]

don’t think I could ever afford one but the early cuckoo clocks and rooster clocks are interesting. The late 1800’s seemed to be a big time for novelty clocks and atomatons. It’s a shame the carving quality faded off in the 20th century

 

[Killick]

My Grandmother gave me this clock after my Grandfather passed away. She couldn't wind it anymore and knew I always liked it. I've been listening to it tick since the mid 60s. I did refurbish the case and had the dial hand painted back to original. I know to some that is sacrilegious but the case was seriously blackened from age and the paint on the dial was chipping off badly. I'm one of those that enjoy vintage things but look new. Is what it is. One thing that is still very original is the gold leaf. It is still, after all these years perfect.
To me there isn't to much more soothing than the tick of a clock. Well there are puppies, old pick up trucks, scotch... oh never mind.

 

[vitanola]

Well, a few weeks ago I went out in search of a “Bronze and Looking Glass “ clock, a type which was popular in the late 1820s and early 1830s. These clocks used Terry style wooden movements and generally had looking glass in the bottom frame of the door, which material has long since lost its slivering. I had a budget of $175. For that I brought home 3 examples with good original dials, finishes, and with serviced working movements. All require re-slivering, of course.

 

[MikeBravo]

Not nearly as fancy as those above, though they do make a nice sound

 

[vitanola]

Then we have the International Time Recorder clock in my office, which my employees use each day for its original purpose:

Not nearly as fancy as those above, though they do make a nice sound

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Ah! Another fellow who likes alarm clocks!

Here are the two which are in service at my cabin. The Seth Thomas is an Eight Day movement with a LOUD alarm, and the Viglia is a pretty accurate knock-off of the peg-leg Baby Ben of 1918 vintage.

The third clock is a 1910-1920 vintage Japanese “regulator” which more or less keeps time in my kitchen. It’s movement is a dead ringer for an Ansonia.


The last of the clocks hangs in my office, a 1920 vintage Internationlal Time Recorder. My employees use it for its original purpose each morning and every evening.

 

[Edward Reed]

January 1944 dated SETH THOMAS U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES clock with the ZULU (GMT) hand and stamped metal face

 

[Killick]

I know this clock isn't vintage but it is mechanical . I just got it yesterday. Romba makes these cuckoo clocks every so often. The board is 200 year old barn board. Maybe it is vintage after all! They send me pictures of 11 boards to choose from. I asked them a favor since the clocks had to be made anyway. I asked if they'd carve my 'cuckoo' as a Red-bellied Woodpecker. I sent them a few pictures of one I took on my suet feeder. What do you think? I love it and have a one off cuckoo clock!

 

[Edward Reed]

I know this clock isn't vintage but it is mechanical . I just got it yesterday. Romba makes these cuckoo clocks every so often. The board is 200 year old barn board. Maybe it is vintage after all! They send me pictures of 11 boards to choose from. I asked them a favor since the clocks had to be made anyway. I asked if they'd carve my 'cuckoo' as a Red-bellied Woodpecker. I sent them a few pictures of one I took on my suet feeder. What do you think? I love it and have a one off cuckoo clock!
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beautiful and very rustic and vintage looking! what's best is it is unique and custom made by your design! I love it!

 

[Killick]

beautiful and very rustic and vintage looking! what's best is it is unique and custom made by your design! I love it!

Thank you very much Ed. You are absolutely right it is rustic looking. My home is not rustic at all. Which is why I think it really looks nice on the wall. It's a big gray wall with just the clock on it.

 

[Edward Reed]

Thank you very much Ed. You are absolutely right it is rustic looking. My home is not rustic at all. Which is why I think it really looks nice on the wall. It's a big gray wall with just the clock on it.

ah see now that's a great way to display it... puts the focus on it and highlights the Objet d'art!

 

[Bugguy]

So you're asking why I would own a 1960's, made in the USSR Slava ("Glory") wind-up alarm clock... probably because I liked the the Deco look. However, I'd like it more if it worked. To list or not to list? Shipping is more than its worth, so looks like Goodwill if I ever socialize again.