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.

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.

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

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.

August 25, 2025 3

Summer Slowdown – But Not For Antiquevintageclock.com

It’s time to relax and slow down. For my wife and me, that means a welcome change of scenery as we travel to our cottage in central Canada to spend the summer season with friends and family. Our summer getaway includes relaxing with a few good books, fishing, swimming, hiking, and sharing stories with friends and neighbours over a glass (or more) of wine.

cottage at the lake — _{Our summer retreat}

As most of you know, this blog profiles my clock collection, the challenges of maintaining and repairing clocks, the joys of finding new and interesting vintage and antique pieces, and many articles of horological interest.

Since many of my posts are written well in advance, there will be no interruption in blog posts throughout the summer months. I’ll continue to maintain a steady output of articles each month. You can keep reading new posts every Tuesday and Friday at 6:00 a.m. AST.

dock by a lake — _{Enjoying lake activities}

As 1960s TV variety host, lounge singer, and actor Dean Martin used to say, “Keep those cards and letters coming.” However, there may be a slight delay in returning your email inquiries or responding to blog post comments, but rest assured, your questions about clocks and comments on any of my posts are important to me and will be answered.

As my wife and I explore central Canada, we’ll no doubt stumble across interesting clocks while scouring antique stores, flea markets, Facebook Marketplace, and junk shops. New clock stories, fresh repair challenges, and perhaps the next major restoration project will be part of my journey this summer.

walk in the wood — _{Walking through the woods}

One of our stops will be The Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario, where I look forward to discovering newly added clocks in their collection and catching up with curator Allan Symons.

In the meantime, feel free to use the search box to browse through past articles, and click “Follow” to have new clock articles delivered to your inbox every three to four days. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy researching and writing each and every one.

May 20, 2025 4

Discover Canadian Clocks and clocks with a Canadian connection at The Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River

A museum is an institution dedicated to the display of objects of lasting interest and historical value. While museums can showcase a wide variety of items, The Canadian Clock Museum, located in Deep River, Ontario, (Canada) focuses specifically on Canadian clocks and clocks with a Canadian connection.

I first visited the museum in 2013, and this year marked my eighth visit. Each visit has offered a new learning experience, and this one was no different.

Despite its modest size, the museum offers a relaxing experience, with a well-organized flow that guides visitors through displays of various manufacturers and themes.

The informational cards beside each clock provide just enough detail to captivate visitors without overwhelming them. Many of the clocks have fascinating stories, which Curator Allan Symons is more than happy to share, although, sadly, some histories have been lost over time as clocks change hands.

A charming feature is the check-in and check-out punch clock cards, done on a Blick Time Recorder clock, that every guest gets to experience to record their visit. Blick Time Recorders was a London, England-based company but they had a Canadian branch that sold them for factories in Ontario, and elsewhere. The reproduction card was created by a summer student about fifteen years ago from card design options in the Blick Canadian catalog.

The collection primarily features mechanical clocks, but the museum also boasts the most extensive collection of Snider electric and battery-operated wall and shelf clocks (in the world?), manufactured in Toronto. Harry Snider’s two business names in Toronto covered the periods 1950-1957 and 1957-1976. His pink and turquoise wall and TV lamp clock designs date to the 1950s (when those colours were popular for fridges, stoves, and bathtubs in homes).

_{A fraction of the Snider clocks on display}

During my visit, a couple arrived at the museum to donate a Snider starburst wall clock with a brass and walnut finish. Curator Symons was grateful for the donation and gave them a personal tour of the museum as a gesture of appreciation.

Although many items are acquired through auction sites and online sales, the museum also receives some pieces as gifts. For items that align with the museum’s theme, shipping costs are covered.

_{Extensive collection of research material}

Though some exhibits remain unchanged over the years, Curator Allan Symons continues to expand and refresh the collection with new and intriguing clocks of all kinds.

So, what’s new this year?

Notably, in the past two years, the museum has acquired a large tall case clock, a wall clock with special historical significance, and IBM time recorder punch clock in addition to other interesting pieces.

Martin Cheney, Montreal Clockmaker

The clock that captured my attention most was a time-only, weight-driven tavern-style wall clock made by Martin Cheney in the 1820s.

_{Martin Cheney wall clock with “Montreal” printed on the dial}

In 1809, Martin Cheney relocated to Montreal from Vermont, where he lived for about twenty-one 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.

This remarkable piece was donated to the museum and stands as a testament to early Canadian craftsmanship. In my view, no serious Canadian clock collection would be complete without a Cheney clock.

IBM Time Recorder

Another notable and unusual piece is the IBM time recorder, which was commonly used in factories and workplaces from the 1920s onward. The employees’ time recorder was made by IBM around 1930 in their Toronto factory. According to the donor, his late father acquired it when he retired from the General Electric factory in Peterborough, Ontario.

This departmental clock was designed to handle up to 100 employees, so large factories would typically have several of these clocks. It is a large and imposing piece, with a robust design that reflects its practical role and the industrial era in which it was used.

_{IBM time recorder used up until the 1960s}

It immediately brought to mind my days as a part-time clerk in an Ottawa department store, where starting the workday was marked by the ritual of clocking in. In my case, it was an electric punch clock, unlike the mechanical one now on display at the museum.

Pequegnat Hall clock

Most Pequegnat clock enthusiasts do not realize that the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company of Kitchener, Ontario, sold kits containing the movement, hands, dial numerals, weights, chains, and pendulums, allowing customers to build custom-sized cases to fit them. And so it is, with a special Pequegnat tall case (hall) clock.

This tall and imposing hall clock case stands out as far more ornate than what you’d typically see on a Pequegnat clock. Its design evokes a strong love-it-or-hate-it reaction, but there’s no denying the intricate craftsmanship of the case.

The clock was donated in October 2023 by a woman in the Montreal area when she was preparing to relocate.

_{Pequegnat hall clock with an unusual feature}

There is more to offer at the museum

For those with a casual interest in clocks, the museum offers a variety of intriguing displays, including an antique phonograph from the Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, New Jersey, a clockmakers/watchmakers workbenchs, alarm clocks, several fascinating Tramp clocks, a choice of “fun in time” teaching clocks for children, clock radios, and a small collection of Girotti wall clocks (St. Catharines, Ontario) that were popular in the 1960s and ’70s.

The Girotti clocks are not my cup of tea, but they are an interesting interpretation of the 1970s modernistic sculptured style and provide a glimpse into the culture of the late 20th century.

Whether you are a clock enthusiast or just curious about the allure of any museum this one is well worth a visit. Returning visitors will always find something new and fascinating to enjoy. And if you can’t make it in person, Allan offers a virtual tour that will inspire a future visit.

August 23, 2024

Regulator #1 by Arthur Pequegnat

One clock that holds a special meaning and one that I would like to add to my collection someday is the Arthur Pequegnat Regulator #1, a single-weight eight-day clock. This clock is truly a rare find, though the prices I’ve encountered thus far are a bit steep for my budget.

The Arthur Pequegnat Story

The Arthur Pequegnat clock company was a formidable contender to American wall clock manufacturers. While their wall clocks often mirrored American models, some of their designs boasted a unique touch. The company favoured the heartwood of quarter-sawn white oak for their cases, showcasing the stunning visual appeal of this choice of wood.

The story of the Arthur Pequegnat clock company is one marked by distinction. Born in Switzerland in 1851, watchmaker Arthur Pequegnat immigrated to Berlin, Ontario, Canada, in 1874 with a substantial entourage of 18 family members. Initially establishing himself as a jeweler and watch repairman in the late 1870s, Arthur and his brother Paul operated a successful shop in Berlin, Ontario, by the mid-1880s. After a decade, the brothers pursued independent ventures, each managing prosperous jewelry shops in Southern Ontario.

In 1897, Arthur expanded his Berlin Jewelry shop to include bicycle manufacturing. However, as the demand for bicycles waned by 1904, he shifted focus back to the clock industry, manufacturing his clock movements at his Berlin Bicycle Manufacturing plant. Initially, wooden clock cases were sourced from local furniture makers, but over time, Arthur began crafting his own cases.

Despite Arthur’s passing in 1927, the company, guided by family members, persevered until 1941. The scarcity of brass during the war effort led to the company’s closure. The factory, where these exceptional timepieces were crafted, never produced another clock and was eventually demolished in 1964. Today, Kitchener pays tribute to this great clock manufacturer with a commemorative plaque.

The renaming of Berlin to Kitchener in 1916, amid World War I anti-German sentiments, serves as a helpful dating marker for Pequegnat clocks. Movements or dials marked “Berlin” indicate a clock dating to 1916 or earlier, while those marked “Kitchener” are from 1916 or later. Due to the long production life of many clocks, precise dating of Arthur Pequegnat clocks remains challenging.

For a fascinating journey into the world of Arthur Pequegnat clocks, The Canadian Clock Museum stands as a treasury, boasting the most extensive museum collection of Arthur Pequegnat clocks in Canada. Additionally, the Macdonald Museum in Middleton, Nova Scotia, offers a modest yet noteworthy collection of Pequegnat clocks—a worthwhile stop for those journeying through the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.

The Regulator #1

The Regulator #1 is frequently likened to the Seth Thomas Regulator #2. While the Seth Thomas counterpart found widespread use in offices and rail stations across America, the Arthur Pequegnat Regulator #1, though less prolific, met the demands of many businesses in Canada.

_{The dial removed showing the movement}

Although sought after by collectors the Regulator #1 has interesting technical quirks according to Canadian clockmaker John Plewes, author of Repariring & Restoring Pendulum Clocks. Plewes cites three design issues with the clock. Two are minor quibbles but the third involves the weight. Despite its similarity to the Seth Thomas Regulator #2, it requires a heavier weight (1/2 lb more) to drive it reliably. A lighter weight such as the one found on the ST#2 causes the clock to stop after a short period particularly when the minute hand is rising. The hands are simply too heavy for the clock as they influence the force applied to the train.

Plewes, therefore, takes issue with Arthur Pequegnat’s claim that the #1 is the “finest office clock made”.

Regardless, the clock is highly sought after among Canadian collectors, and commands a premium, often doubling the price of similarly styled clocks from well-known American counterparts such as the Seth Thomas Regulator #2.

Ah, some day!

December 29, 2023

Taking a break – clocking continues but at a slower pace

The past two years has been like nothing we have ever experienced in our lifetime. Things are improving day by day, folks are re-establishing their routines, the country is opening up and everything will no doubt return to normal in the months to come. Some would say we are in a “new world”?

How will future generations judge this dark period of our lives?

It is time to relax, slow down and for my wife and I that means a change of scenery as we travel to our cottage in central Canada to spend the summer season with friends and family. Our get-away plan for the summer is to relax with a few good books, do a little fishing, swimming, hiking and exchange stories with friends and neighbours over a glass (or two, or three) of wine.

Since many of my articles have been written well in advance of the summer months there will be NO interruption in blog posts through the summer months. I will continue to maintain a steady output of 7 to 9 clock blog articles per month.

Taking a look at this Ansonia cotteg clockwith the dial off — An Ansonia cottage clock with the dial removed for testing and spaghetti for lunch

Keep those cards letters coming as 1960s TV variety host Dean Martin once said. There may be a slight delay returning your email inquiry or responding to blog post comments but rest assured that question(s) about your clock or comments regarding any of my posts are important to me and will be answered.

This blog profiles my own clock collection, the challenges of maintaining and repairing clocks, the joys of finding new and interesting vintage and antique clocks plus many articles of horological interest.

As we explore central Canada I will no doubt find interesting clocks as we scour antique stores, flea markets and junk shops. New clock stories, new repair challenges and perhaps the next major restoration project will also be part of my journey this summer.

Included will be a trip to The Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario to discover new and interesting clocks added to their collection and chat with curator Allan Symons.

Use the search box to browse past articles and/or click “follow” to have clock articles brought to your mailbox every three to four days. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy researching each and every article.

Happy Canada Day!

July 4, 2022

The Pequegnat Story

Where to See Pequegnats Today

My Own Collecting Dream

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Rate this:

Share this: