Tag: Ontario

The Arthur Pequegnat Regulator No. 1: A Canadian Collector’s Dream

Clock face Arthur Pequegnat Canadian Time clock

One clock that’s high on my wish list is the Arthur Pequegnat Regulator No. 1. It’s a single-weight, 8-day, time-only wall clock, and it’s a rare one. Every so often I’ll see one for sale, but the price tags are usually well out of my reach—for now, anyway.

Pequegnat as a clock company was Canada’s answer to the big American clockmakers, especially Seth Thomas. Their wall clocks often borrowed design cues from their U.S. counterparts, but Pequegnat also came up with some distinctive styles of their own. One thing they were known for was their use of quarter-sawn white oak. If you’ve ever seen the way the ray flecks shimmer in that wood, you’ll know why collectors admire it so much.

The Regulator No. 1 is often compared to the Seth Thomas Regulator No. 2. While Seth Thomas sold thousands of #2s into schools, offices, and railway stations across America, Pequegnat’s No. 1 didn’t reach the same production numbers. But here in Canada, it served the same purpose—and today it’s one of the most sought-after Pequegnat models. In fact, a well-preserved example will usually bring twice the price of a similar American regulator.

The photo below of the Regulator No. 1 was taken at The Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario, back in 2013.

Arthur Pequegnat Regulator #1
Arthur Pequegnat Regulator #1

The Pequegnat Story

Arthur Pequegnat was born in Switzerland in 1851 and came to Berlin, Ontario (now Kitchener) in 1874 along with his wife, parents, brothers, and sisters—a total of 18 family members. By the late 1870s, he was running a jewelry and watch repair shop, and before long, he and his brother Paul were in business together in Berlin. After about a decade, they each went their separate ways, both staying in the jewelry trade.

In 1897, Arthur took a bit of a detour and started making bicycles. That worked well for a few years, but as the market declined, he pivoted once again. By 1904, he was using his bicycle factory to make clock movements, marking the start of Canada’s best-known clockmaking venture. At first, local furniture makers supplied the cases, but Arthur eventually brought case production in-house.

One detail that helps date Pequegnat clocks is the town name. Berlin, Ontario, was renamed Kitchener in 1916 because of anti-German sentiment during the First World War. So, if a dial or movement is stamped Berlin, you know it’s pre-1916. If it’s marked Kitchener, it’s from 1916 or later. Of course, since many models were made for years, you’ll only get an approximate date—but it’s still a handy clue.

Arthur passed away in 1927, but his family continued to run the company until 1941. When brass became scarce during the war, production stopped and never started up again. The factory was demolished in 1964, and today all that’s left is a commemorative plaque in Kitchener—fitting recognition of Canada’s most famous clockmaker.

Where to See Pequegnats Today

If you want to see Pequegnats in person, The Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River is the place to go. They have the largest collection in the country, and it’s well worth the trip.

Canadian Clock museum
The Canadian Clock Museum, Deep River, Ontario

On the East Coast, the Macdonald Museum in Middleton, Nova Scotia, has a smaller but very nice display too.

Macdonald Museum in Middleton Nova Scotia
Macdonald Museum in Middleton Nova Scotia

My Own Collecting Dream

For me, the Regulator No. 1 is about as good as it gets in Canadian wall clocks. Is it the best Canadian clock ever made? No, it has its faults, but it’s got the look, the history, and the craftsmanship that make it stand out. I can’t quite justify the price of one right now (my wallet insists on reminding me of that), but that’s part of the fun of collecting—dreaming about the ones that might join the collection someday.

Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll stumble across a Regulator No. 1 tucked away in an antique shop or sitting quietly at an auction, waiting for the right bidder. Until then, it stays on my wish list—one of those “holy grail” clocks that keeps the hunt exciting.

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Arthur Pequegnat Canadian Time – a service is long overdue

Clock face Arthur Pequegnat Canadian Time clock

Hallway clock
Hallway clock – Arthur Pequegnat Canadian Time

I wrote about this clock in 2015. The Canadian Time clock was made by the Arthur Pequegnat Clock company of Kitchener, Ontario. The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company (1904–1941) is notable as the longest lasting Canadian-based clock manufacturer. Pequegnat clocks are sought after by Canadian collectors and often command high prices on online for-sale sites.

Former railway clock from a station in Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Former railway clock from a station in Pictou County, Nova Scotia (Canada)

Label on back board

The clock was made after 1917 in Kitchener, Ontario (Canada). Clocks made before 1917 had the word “Berlin” on the dial face. Kitchener was known as Berlin prior to and during the first World War. It was the town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. Because the name Berlin was associated with the war against Germany the decision was made to change the name to Kitchener midway through the First World War. Kitchener is the present seat of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario. Though it is impossible to determine the exact year this clock was made my guess is just prior to 1941 before the company closed it’s doors.

It is always disconcerting to open a clock up to discover punch marks on a movement

The clock was purchased in Sept 2013 and after 3 1/2 years it is overdue for servicing.

Movement showing punch marks as indicated by arrows
Movement showing punch marks (arrows)

It is always disconcerting to open a clock up to discover punch marks on a movement, specifically around the pivot holes as one would expect. I am one of those who believe that a punch should never be used on a clock movement. Most, including myself, would consider it a quick and easy shortcut that is not designed to extent the life of the clock in any appreciable manner. Because punching weakens the side wall of the pivot hole those two pivot holes in particular are prime examples of the need for bushings. In total the clock required 5 bushings. The second wheel pivot hole was worn the most. One back plate bushing was required for the escape wheel arbour.

Time only movement
Time only movement

Time only movement are relatively simple to work on and for the novice this is the first kind of movement you should tackle. Whenever working on a clock be sure to take as many photos as you can; you will need them if you get stuck re-assembling the movement. On this clock the 3rd and 4th wheels look exactly the same but in fact differ slightly in height. Photos taken at the right angles will easily confirm the difference.

Mainspring cleaned and inspected
Mainspring cleaned and inspected

A strange anomaly that I did not notice when I first bought the clock; additional screw holes

The mainspring is in excellent condition and might have been a replacement at some point in the clock’s life. I had some difficulty re-hooking the arbour to the spring and had to use pliers to bend it, but just a little.

I found one strange anomaly that I did not notice when I first bought the clock. There are additional screw holes in the back board leading me to believe that the clock might have had another type of Pequegnat movement which would mean that the current movement is a replacement. Possible reasons, a catastrophic failure of the original movement, a conversion from a time and strike movement to a time-only clock (requiring a new dial) – it is anyone’s guess. A mystery nonetheless.

Servicing this clock took less than a day. Testing takes a couple of weeks. With new bushings in place and an oiling this clock should run reliably for years to come.

I began keeping a detailed log of clock repairs noting, in particular, when the movement was last oiled so that I do not wait too long between inspection and oiling.

 

Arthur Pequegnat Brandon time-only wall clock

This my first Arthur Pequegnat clock and it is the Brandon II. The first edition was produced up to 1916. Though very similar in design, this second edition was made from 1917 to 1941.

Arthur Pequegnat Brandon II

The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company made clocks in Kitchener, Ontario from 1903 to 1941.

Normally found in a Canadian schoolroom in the 1930s and 1940s or in an office setting it was one of Pequegnats more popular styles. It is an octagonal short drop, time-only schoolhouse clock. The first edition had the exact dimensions but with a more ornate frame around the dial bezel.

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

Clock face Arthur Pequegnat Canadian Time clock
Clock face Arthur Pequegnat Brandon clock

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

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

This clock was owned locally by an antique collector who after having it for a number of years decided to sell it in his antique shop in Great Village, Nova Scotia. The price was reasonable.

Arthur Pequegnat Brandon time=only movement

The case is in excellent condition, as is the face and bezel. Although the clock runs and keep reasonable time it has an annoying squeak suggesting that something is definitely amiss. I discovered that the first wheel had considerable pivot hole wear. This is the kind of repair I am unable to do at this time since I have neither the tools nor the knowledge. I brought the clock to a horologist in Halifax, Nova Scotia where the servicing was completed.

Five bushings were installed, the mainspring was cleaned and the movement was oiled.  I believe it is a worthwhile investment and I expect it to be ticking away for years to come.

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