This article is about a curious term that you might have heard concerning clocks and clock collecting. The term is FrankenClock. Let me explain. Have you ever bought a clock and as much as you hoped that every mechanical part, finial and piece of trim is original and you later found out through experience, research or knowledge … More Is Your Clock a FrankenClock? Key Insights for Collectors
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”
As I mentioned in a previous post my Gustav Becker two weight regulator arrived with some issues. I was aware beforehand that there would be some problems as it was advertised as a ‘project” clock and that is what it has become, but not in an entirely negative way. It is all good learning. My … More Gustav Becker March 2016 update part 2
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
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
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
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
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
In November 2015, I added an Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf “fan top” to my collection. The clock was advertised as non-running, and the seller’s description was accurate—it had its share of challenges. While gingerbread-style kitchen clocks don’t typically appeal to me, I felt that, as a Canadian, if I were to own one, it should … More Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf Kitchen Clock
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
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
This is a recently acquired Sessions time and strike mission style mantel clock. Aside from cleaning up the case with diluted Murphy’s Soap, my standard cleaner for clock cases, I applied clock oil to the movement and reset the verge in order to get the proper beat. It is running well and keeps very good … More Sessions American No. 2 Mantel Clock
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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