While working on one of my latest acquisitions, a Junghans Hunsruck mantel clock, memories flooded back to the first Junghans clock I ever owned, a Junghans Crispi wall clock, that I still have to this day.
Junghans Hunsruck C. 1913
It was a humble box of parts when it first came to me, but I was determined to bring it back to life.
Junghans clock in pieces, not unlike a jigsaw puzzle
The restoration process was a hands-on experience where I had to fashion new parts, source missing pieces, and master the art of staining and gluing. Through this ground-up restoration process, I developed a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship and artistry that went into creating these old clocks.
Piece by piece, I painstakingly assembled the clock, learning about the inner workings and mechanics along the way. It required both patience and dedication, but in the end, it was worth it. The clock not only became a functional piece, but a treasured symbol of my passion for antique wall clocks.
A first examination of the movement
As I worked on my latest Junghans mantel clock refreshing the case and servicing the movement, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that led me to this point. Each clock I restore holds a special place in my heart, but that first Junghans clock will always hold a particularly special place. It was an affirmation of a lifelong passion for the timeless elegance of antique clocks.
The fascinating story behind the Crispi wall clock
The story behind the Junghans Crispi clock is the enduring power of objects that connect us to the past.
Junghans Crispi time and strike wall clock
In the midst of tragedy, there can be glimmers of hope and resilience. Such was the case with a Junghans Crispi wall clock that fell off a wall on Princess Court in North End Halifax on the fateful day of December 6, 1917. Despite the chaos and destruction caused by the Halifax Explosion, this clock managed to survive, albeit in a state of disrepair.
Following its century-long journey, the clock that had been treasured by the Halifax family for generations finally found its way into the hands of an avid antique clock collector.
Over the course of two months, I worked tirelessly to piece together the various components and restore the clock to working condition. It was no easy feat, but the end result was a stunning tribute to both the clock’s history and the resilience of the people of Halifax.
In a series of articles documenting the restoration process, I shared not only the technical details of the restoration but also the personal connection to this piece of history.
Junghans, a renowned manufacturer of high-end wristwatches today, acknowledges their significant role in the clock industry by providing access to their catalogs to anyone interested in researching their clock production since the company’s establishment in the 1880s.
This demonstrates the company’s commitment to preserving the history and legacy of their brand and allowing collectors and enthusiasts to gain valuable insights into the evolution of their clock-making techniques and designs over time.
Auction photo
The 1915 Junghans catalog identifies this clock as the Hunsruck, named after a mountain range in Germany, and provides its specifications as 28.5 cm in height with a mahogany or oak case construction, a 14-day run time, and a silvered dial.
While I haven’t yet had the opportunity to service the clock’s movement, I have focused my attention on refreshing the clock’s case, which is the main topic of this post.
This particular clock was originally offered in both oak and mahogany versions, and the one in my possession is the mahogany variant.
A comment on the finish
Despite my expectations that the finish would be consistent throughout the entire case, I have noticed a noticeable tonal variation between the base and the top, sides, and front of the clock. This observation leads me to suspect that the base may be crafted from a different type of wood than the rest of the clock.
We will have to wait and see if any measures taken will have an impact on the tonal difference between the base and the rest of the clock.
All brass is polished and after one coat of stain is applied
Work begins on the case
I began by giving the case a thorough cleaning using Murphy’s soap. Following the cleaning, I applied a light coat of Mahogany stain from a company called Minwax, being cautious not to leave it on for more than the recommended 10-minute period to ensure the stain penetrated the wood correctly. After 10 minutes, I wiped off any remaining residue and gave it an additional wipe at the four-hour drying point.
After the initial staining, I observed that the base of the clock still had a tonal difference compared to the rest of the case.
Through previous experience, I’ve learned not to overdo the staining process, and often, one coat is more than sufficient. Despite this, I opted to apply a second coat of stain to the base only, intending to stop there, even if the tonal difference was still present. As a result there remained a subtle variation in the finish, perhaps only discernible to me. Nevertheless, I was very satisfied with the performance of the stain as it effectively concealed the scratches and nicks on the case.
For the final stage of the case restoration, my original plan was to use a product called Wipe-On Poly by Minwax but using a modern finish for restoring antique clock cases is not a conventional practice.
After careful consideration, I opted for a less intrusive approach by utilizing a finishing paste wax specifically designed for dark finishes, also made by Minwax (and no, I don’t have shares in the company). Clock cases were typically dusted, waxed, and polished during their time as part of routine housekeeping.
After one coat of finishing paste wax
As always, my goal is not to restore the clock case to its original factory finish but rather to conceal any imperfections caused by wear and tear on the wood surfaces in order to enhance its overall appearance. The light refinishing effectively achieved the desired outcome.
The brass
To clean the dial, side door button, and ball feet, I used a cleaning and polishing product called Brasso. I was pleasantly surprised by the results since I had anticipated that removing years of accumulated dirt and grime would be a significant challenge. However, the Brasso worked remarkably well in restoring the brass clock case features to their former shine. I removed the ball feet by unscrewing them so that I could polish every part of them thoroughly.
The dial
Despite efforts to remove the blemish between the numbers four and five with Murphy’s Soap, which was clearly visible in the auction photo above, it was found to be impossible to eliminate completely. However, it is now slightly less noticeable. I initially assumed that it was dirt, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be some sort of abrasion.
In sum
Restoring an antique clock case can be a delicate and challenging process that requires patience and attention to detail. By using a combination of cleaning and staining products, as well as conventional finishes it’s possible to bring new life to a piece that may have been neglected or damaged over time.
While it may not always be possible to eliminate every imperfection entirely, taking the time to restore a clock case to a semblance of its former glory can be a rewarding experience for both the restorer and the future owner of the piece. Ultimately, the care and effort put into restoring an antique clock case can help preserve its history and ensure that it remains to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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