Antique and Vintage Clocks

During my article review this week, I stumbled upon my first-ever blog post from 2015 about my fortunate discovery of an Arthur Pequegnat clock in a nearby antique shop. It was an exciting experience for me, and I was thrilled to share it with my readers.

This was my first Arthur Pequegnat clock whihc was the second edtiiion of the Brandon model. The second edition was made from 1917 to 1941. The first edition of the clock, which was produced until 1916, had similar dimensions but a more ornate frame around the dial bezel.

The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company’s Brandon II model is a simple clock and was one of their most sought-after designs. It was primarily used in Canadian schoolrooms and office settings during the 1930s and 1940s.

The clock’s octagonal shape and short drop make it a recognizable design, and it is often referred to as a schoolhouse clock. Schoolhouse clocks were a popular type of clock used in schools during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by their simple yet sturdy design and often featuring a visible pendulum.

Schoolhouse clocks were usually time-only, as there would be other methods such as bells or alarms to mark key points in a typical school day. If placed in an office environment, a strike train would be too distracting for employees. Brandon models also came with calendars, a useful feature for both school or office.

Both the case, made of quarter-sawn oak, and the brass movement were produced by the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company in their small Kitchener factory until 1941. The company stopped production abruptly due to brass shortages during the Second World War.

The time-only movement is relatively simple with few gears and little that can go wrong. It was designed to be reliable, dependable, and able to withstand the abuse of a school or office environment.

I purchased this clock from an antique collector who had owned it for a number of years. He decided to sell it in his antique shop in Great Village, Nova Scotia, and I found the price to be reasonable. The case, face, and bezel are all in excellent condition. However, the clock had an annoying squeak that suggested something was wrong. After investigating, I discovered that the first wheel had considerable pivot hole wear.

Regrettably, due to my lack of expertise and tools at the time, I couldn’t repair the clock on my own. I had to take it to a horologist in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who performed the required repairs. The clock needed five bushings, a thorough cleaning of the mainspring, and oiling of the movement. Following the necessary repairs, the clock has been consistently dependable and has required only an inspection and re-oiling two years ago.

Since then, I have acquired eight more Arthur Pequegnat clocks and have since gained the skills to service each of them myself.