Floating balance movements began appearing in mechanical clocks in the early 1950s. The floating balance has distinct advantages over pendulum clocks. It is robust, dependable and not susceptible to disturbance. It will tolerate being out of level unlike pendulum clocks which must be on a level surface. This Hermle movement was taken out of a … More Floating balance no longer “floats”
During two vacation trips to Cuba in the last 4 months I managed to locate a few clocks in my travels. Though some clocks were very intriguing none that I saw save for the tower clocks were in working condition. Nonetheless it made me wonder about their provenance in a land that time seemingly forgot. At Christmas time … More Clocks of Cuba
This fairly non-descript mantel clock is a puzzler. It has a nicely constructed case with curved wood relief features and a westminster chime, hence the three winding arbors. It is in very good condition and required a simple de-greasing of the cabinet to bring it back to it’s former glory. The clock was presumably made after the war … More Girod movement in Canadian made case
A few changes have taken place since I last posted but the clock is still not 100% correct. Some changes to note. The bottom right finial was repaired. To the casual observer it looks impressive but a keen eye would reveal the repair. The middle finial is not attached as yet as there are still … More Gustav Becker March update
If you’re expecting a post about clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany, I apologize for the mix-up. This article is actually focused on the Forestville Clock Company of Canada. Forestville clocks were assembled in Canada with foreign movements in local and foreign-made cases through the late 1920s to the mid-1970s. This particular Forestville … More Forestville mantel clock
I got a lead through a email a few days ago on a Braunau movement that was up for sale on EBay and I am happy to say that I purchased it today. It should arrive by post in the next few days. My plan is to either take the parts out of the replacement movement or … More Gustav Becker update
A diminutive size, this clock was made around 1930 just a couple of years before the Waterbury Clock Company was placed in receivership. It is a solid oak case measuring 19 inches long by 12 inches wide, with a paper dial marked Waterbury, a black and gold pendulum aperture, and 8-day time-only movement. The bottom of the … More Waterbury “Arion” Small Octagon Short Drop wall clock
As you know from reading my last post concerning this fine timepiece I am appealing to anyone who knows anything about these particular clocks to assist me in finding a critical part for the strike side. The part is called the “star wheel / snail”. Without it the strike side will not function. The time side … More Request for assistance – attention Gustav Becker afficionados
This is a Gustav Becker 2 weight “Vienna Regulator” made at the Braunau factory in 1902. The serial number is a confirmed match for the numbered series built during that period. The clock was made in the Gustav Becker Braunau works in Bohemia (now Broumov, Czech Repulic), in mid-1902. The Braunau operation started up in February 1888 and would have … More Gustav Becker Vienna Regulator Braunau factory circa 1902
This clock has been sitting on my workbench for a couple of months. It is an attractive little Sessions tambour style mantel clock, very popular in the 1930s. I spent a little time refurbishing the case, have had good success making it look presentable compared to when it first arrived. The case was marred and … More Sessions Beveled Number 2 Re-assembly
My wife bought me a Gustav Becker 2-weight regulator at a popular auction site and while I haven’t received it just yet she had to show me what it looked like in a most unusual way. She thought that a photo would not do so she had someone make a cake from the auction site photo so that … More Gustav Becker 2-weight regulator wall clock
I acquired this beautiful Mauthe Horse Crown Vienna style wall clock in the fall. I inspected it carefully enough before the purchase but it was not until I got it home that I discovered a finial or perhaps a trim piece missing from the base area on the bottom. Once hung the clock did not … More A detail can make all the difference
This is a Sessions Tambour style clock that I have been working on for the past two months. I bought it as a non-working clock. As I said in a previous post it is a fairly attractive mantel clock featuring a mahogany finish with faux inlay just south of the dial. It was made in the late … More Sessions Tambour – Beveled Number 2
It is time to buy the tools I need for clock repair. I already have a number of basic tools to get me started; pliers, letdown chucks, screwdrivers, etc. However, my first significant tool is an Ollie Baker Mainspring Winder which arrived from the USA today. It is pictured below. The Ollie Baker comes with … More Clock Repair Tools
December 18th marks the day that my Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf fan-top is off to repair. Sadly this is a repair that I cannot perform myself at this stage of my learning. The problem is essentially a clutch plate off the centre arbor that is not engaging the gear for the strike side. The result … More Maple Leaf clock is sent off for repairs
Another wall clock has joined my collection, so let’s take a closer look at what I’ve acquired and whether it was worth the price I paid. The clock was advertised locally in the Truro, Nova Scotia area. The seller knew little about it beyond its provenance, but what he did share was an interesting, albeit … More Mauthe Horse Crown Century-old Wall Clock
I have had this Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf fan-top clock for several weeks now and have decided to keep it in my collection. I was not satisfied with the condition of the case when I first saw it and knew that something had to be done. After several hours of work on the case I … More Maple Leaf case restoration Part 2
Although my newest Arthur Pequegnat kitchen clock was complete in every way the case looked like something pretty dire happened to the finish. I mentioned before that the clock was likely in a very warm environment for a long period (an attic perhaps) and while there are no cracks or breaks in the wood there was a … More Maple Leaf case restoration Part 1
I knew this Arthur Pequegnat clock had issues when I bought it but I felt that I just had to have a gingerbread clock for my collection. It is a beautiful clock and once fully restored it will be a show piece. After taking the clock out of its case and investigating further I think I have … More Maple Leaf clock motion works issue
I did not pay much for this Sessions tambour style clock (circa 1927) though my first thought when I picked it up was that I paid a little too much, such was the work that awaited me. This was obviously a non-working clock when I received it and it did not take much to discover why. It … More Repair and Cleaning of Sessions Beveled Number 2
This is a Sessions Tambour style clock that, according to the label on the inside back access door is a Beveled Number 2. Seems like an odd name for a clock. It is a fairly attractive mantel clock featuring a mahogany finish with faux inlay just below the dial. It is a time and strike … More Sessions Tambour Style clock
I have been thinking of expanding my collection of wall clocks lately after acquiring a good sampling of mantle and shelf clocks. I picked up this clock not far from where I live. It is an Ansonia octagonal short drop commonly known as a schoolhouse clock. I am putting the date of manufacture at around the turn … More Ansonia Octagonal Short drop “schoolhouse” clock
Probably not a household name in its time, yet U. M. Müller produced clocks that could stand proudly beside the finest German makers of the early 20th century. Their box clocks, in particular, became strong competitors, capturing a market that was shifting away from the ornate Vienna regulator toward something more modern, practical, and affordable. … More U M Muller Box Clock
Servicing this Smiths Enfield clock went without a hitch, well almost. All parts underwent Ultrasonic cleaning, the pivot holes were pegged and oiled and once re-assembled the clock was oiled, then bench-tested out of it’s case to check for beat and proper strike. On Sept 30th – back in the case without destroying 2 U-shaped … More Update on Smiths Enfield clock
Restoring and repairing antique clocks is a rewarding and sometimes challenging journey, and my latest project has been no exception. I recently acquired a time-and-strike mantel clock from the Enfield Clock Company, a British manufacturer known for its utilitarian designs, especially post-war. In this article, I will share my experiences as I continue to restore … More Smiths Enfield Mantel Clock
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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