My Gustav Becker – one year later

Posted on by rjoiner2021
Vienna Regulator Braunau factory circa 1902
Gustav Becker Vienna Regulator Braunau factory circa 1902

It has been one year since my wife presented me with a Vienna Regulator wall clock as a retirement gift. I was in heaven! I always wanted a Gustav Becker clock. I thought it was the holy grail of clocks. As I delve more deeply into this hobby and have the benefit of a greater knowledge of the world of clocks this past year I am learning that there were other more desirable makers of that period (1850s to 1900) but I have my Gustav Becker and I have no regrets.

It has been an interesting time and one of the most significant horological experiences for me in the past year. This clock has taught me a lot.

Gustav Becker 2 weight clock
The hands may look nice but they are incorrect for the period

This was a project clock and my first experience with a non-working clock that bought with it a number of not insurmountable issues. The side and front glass panels may look original but they are replacements after the glass broke during shipping. I brought it to a local glass shop and they installed the glass. I should have bought a old window with the wavy glass to use as a replacement as one reader suggested. I just did not think of it at the time.

The original movement was missing vital strike side parts

The original movement was missing vital strike side parts. Fighting with the seller who misrepresented the condition of the movement got me nowhere. I had to find a replacement movement and it had to be from Gustav Becker’s Braunau factory.  Finally, I located a donor movement from Poland. The serial number on the Poland movement told me that it was 16 years newer. Some minor details differentiated the older and newer movement but it was exactly what I was looking for. It was a perfect fit for the case and correct for the pendulum length.

To the casual observer it is a beautiful wall clock befitting the grand period of German clock-making a century ago

What have I learned this past year? I put more than three hundred dollars of repairs into this clock above and beyond the original cost, much more money than the clock is worth. Don’t even get me started on import duties and shipping from the US. I am still riled about that. I am extremely reluctant to make any future clock purchases that require shipping by mail/courier. Others have had positive experiences with shipped clocks – I did not. I find it too much of a gamble. I prefer to buy my clocks in person! Though I won’t go into further detail, this was not a positive buying experience and after a year I am still fighting for compensation from the seller.

GB movement
Original GB movement with parts missing

How does it look on the wall? A trained eye will see the minor incongruities. To the casual observer it is a beautiful wall clock befitting the grand period of German clock-making a century ago.

18 thoughts on “My Gustav Becker – one year later”

    1. Yes, that is correct Jim. I found a star wheel / snail meant for the original movement but it did not fit. I ended up purchasing a replacement movement (made in the Braunau factory) and used that instead.

      Ron

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