montreal – Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks

Martin Cheney is not typically the first name that comes to mind when considering the impact of clockmakers on Canadian horology.

Martin Cheney, born in 1778, was part of a prominent American clock-making family. He was one of four sons of Benjamin Cheney (1725-1815) and Elizabeth Long Cheney, who hailed from East Hartford, Connecticut. Benjamin likely trained all his sons in clock-making. The oldest, Asahel, born in 1759, later moved to Vermont. Elisha, born in 1770 and passing in 1847, settled in Berlin, Connecticut.

The youngest, Russell, eventually relocated to Putney, Vermont. Martin’s uncle, Timothy Cheney (1731-1795), was also a notable clock-maker in East Hartford, working closely with Benjamin.

By 1803, Martin had moved up the Connecticut River to Windsor, Vermont, where he advertised fine English watches, watch keys, chains, and seals for sale. The majority of the tall case clocks I’ve found online come from his shop in Windsor, Vermont. Based on my research, most of his clocks show a Boston influence.

In the early 1800s, political events in the United States prompted several families to migrate to the British colony of Lower Canada, now known as Canada. In 1809, Martin relocated to Montreal, where he lived for about twenty years. In 1817, he partnered with J. A. Dwight, and together they operated under the name Cheney & Dwight at 104 St. Paul Street, Montreal. The business produced movements, cases, wall and tall case clocks, and banjo clocks. Their partnership lasted until 1830.

In 1827, Martin advertised in a Burlington, Vermont newspaper seeking a journeyman clock-maker to join him in Montreal. Although Cheney continued to craft clocks into the 1830s, little is known about his life beyond that decade. He spent his remaining years in Montreal till his death in 1855 (unconfirmed).

Cheney clocks are highly sought after and command high prices at auction. Their exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail are evident in every piece.

Until August 2024, I had never seen a Cheney clock in person but, during a recent visit to The Canadian Clock Museum, curator Allan Symons proudly introduced me to one of his most prized acquisitions: a Martin Cheney time-only weight-driven wall clock, crafted in Montreal, Canada in the 1820s.

I didn’t get a chance to examine the movement, but I’m assuming it’s a banjo-style similar to the one in the photo below.

Encountering a Martin Cheney clock in person was an experience that deepened my appreciation for the craftsmanship and historical significance of his work particularly during the time he spent in Canada.

The rarity and value of Cheney clocks, combined with their intricate details and the story they tell of early North American clock-making, make them treasures for any horology enthusiast.

While owning such a piece may be well out of reach, the opportunity to see one firsthand was an unforgettable reminder of the skill and character of early Canadian clockmaking.

This Fleet Time mantel clock is a generic mantel clock with a walnut finish, flat front, a slightly domed top, and step-side features. Simple but attractive. Fleet assembled clocks sourced from German parts in the Montreal area for 4 years prior to WWII.

While the case looks great after refinishing, I was oh so close to having a fully functioning clock when disaster struck.

This is a call-out for anyone who can sell me or donate a replacement movement or otherwise direct me to where I can locate one. I am in need of a mainspring barrel and second wheel on the time side. As much as possible I would like it to be exactly the style of movement that came with the clock.

My clock passion is collecting clocks made or assembled in Canada and I would love to see this clock in working order

Fleet second time wheel — _{Fleet second wheel, a bent leaf cannot be unbent}

Here is my story

The movement looked to be in reasonably good condition but needed a good cleaning.

The mainsprings can be removed without disassembling the movement, handy for such things as replacing a broken mainspring.

The movement was completely serviced with several new bushings installed. The mainsprings were removed, cleaned, and returned to their barrels.

Through the testing phase, the mainsprings were partially wound. Once I was satisfied that the movement was running well I installed it back into its case. I then wound the strike side fully and then wound the time side. Just as I was feeling resistance, CLUNK, and then the arbour turned freely.

Hoping it was only a broken mainspring I was not prepared for what I discovered when I opened up the movement. There were three broken/bent teeth on the mainspring barrel, a broken mainspring, and a damaged leaf pinion on the second wheel.

When a mainspring breaks at the teeth end of the barrel it tries to unwind but the loose end provides sufficient resistance, that is, a slower release of the energy, and is less likely to cause major damage. A broken mainspring results. A break at the winding arbour end or close to it as in this case results in the sudden release of energy and the result is damage not only to the mainspring but clock parts up the train; this is known as collateral damage.

A clock colleague advised me that although the barrel teeth and leaf pinion can be fixed it is usually not cost-effective because the process is so time-consuming. His solution is to collect movements that are used as donors for times such as this.

The plan, at this point, is to source a donor movement and harvest parts for what I hope would result in a successful repair.

So, here I am asking if anyone has a spare movement they can part with.

My clock passion is collecting clocks made or assembled in Canada and I would love to see this clock in working order.

Tag: montreal

The Legacy of Martin Cheney: Clock-Making in Early Canada

Fleet Time replacement movement needed – calling all clock parts collectors

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