Tag: time-only movement

Echoes of Time: The Ansonia Wall Clock That Waited Fifty Years to Tick Again

We live in the northern part of Nova Scotia, and a trip to the Annapolis Valley for clock hunting is always a pleasure on an early fall day. It’s one of the province’s most beautiful regions — a mix of rolling hills, orchards, small farms, and picturesque little towns that always seem to welcome you back. Our destination this time was the town of Berwick, nestled right in the heart of the valley. It’s one of those places where time moves just a little more slowly — fitting, perhaps, for the clock that awaited us there.

Ansonia short drop schoolhouse-style clock

We had planned the trip beforehand, arranging to meet the seller at an agreed-upon time. The seller welcomed us warmly into his home and soon began to share the clock’s story. The clock had been in his family for over fifty years. “I never actually saw it running,” he said with a smile, “but my mother really loved that clock.” His mother had recently passed away, and he was in the midst of settling her estate. It was clear that selling the clock was not easy for him — it held sentimental value, as many family clocks do, but he knew it was time to let things go.

He told me that an antique dealer had been through the house earlier and offered one price for each room. “The clock alone was worth more than what he offered for one whole room,” he said, shaking his head. I could tell he wanted it to go to someone who would truly appreciate it. I promised it would be cared for and restored.

He believed the clock had come from an old schoolhouse in Ontario, decommissioned sometime in the 1950s, though its exact location has been lost to time. One can imagine it ticking away the hours for many years in that classroom.

The pine case is in lovely condition with only minor issues. Around the center of the dial, near the winding holes, some paint has been added — likely an attempt to cover small stains from decades of oily fingers winding and adjusting the clock.

Time only movement for a wall clock
Time only movement

The clock is an Ansonia octagonal short drop, often referred to as a schoolhouse clock. I’d place its manufacture around the turn of the 20th century — likely between 1900 and 1912. The number “12” is stamped on the movement, which may represent the year, though it could also just be a batch mark. The faint Ansonia trademark is still visible, and the letters “TT” are stamped nearby. This was my first Ansonia, and it’s always a thrill to study a new movement up close.

Image from the ad

One issue quickly revealed itself: the hour hand bushing was missing. The bushing provides the necessary friction fit with the cannon pinion, and without it, the hand simply spins. I suspect that’s why the clock was deemed “not working.” Someone probably thought the movement was faulty when, in fact, it was just missing this small part. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix that can be done with a replacement or a handmade bushing.

Testing in the case
Dial removed, showing the movement and its curious slope to the left

When I examined the pendulum, I noticed something curious — small pieces of a rotted elastic band on the rod just below the suspension spring. Why it was there, I have no idea. Perhaps someone thought it would steady the pendulum, or maybe it was part of an old improvised repair. These little mysteries often make clock restoration interesting.

After a minor adjustment — a slight bend of the crutch to bring the clock into beat — it began ticking steadily. There’s minimal wear visible, which was confirmed when I removed the movement for a full cleaning and inspection.

Much has been written about the Ansonia Clock Company, once one of the great names in American clockmaking. The company went into receivership just before the 1929 stock market crash — a sign of difficult times ahead. The machinery and dies were later sold to a Russian company, marking the end of an era. It’s always a little sad to think that such a remarkable chapter in horological history closed that way. Clocks bearing the Ansonia name are still sold today, but the name on the dial bears no real connection to the company that once was.

When the new hands arrived in the mail, the final touches were complete. The hour hand came with a proper bushing and fit perfectly on the cannon. The clock, fully serviced now, runs beautifully — a fine old Ansonia, rescued from dormancy and restored to life. It’s now proudly ticking away on my daughter’s office wall in Alberta, keeping time as faithfully as it did more than a century ago.

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How to Service an Open Mainspring Without a Spring Winder – Step-by-Step Guide

In a previous article on servicing this clock, I mentioned the challenge I faced with the mainspring. With only minimal tools at my disposal and no spring winder, I was determined to find a solution and successfully service the mainspring.

This clock was manufactured by New Haven and boasts a classic design with a twelve-inch Roman Numeral dial and a distinctive short drop style.

The softwood case is veneered in Rosewood veneer accents. The clock’s case must have been quite elegant at one time, but now it is showing much wear and tear.

Given the condition of the case, I anticipated that the movement would be just as well-worn. It was in better condition than I thought.

New Haven 8-day time-only movement

Let me point out that the servicing is being done under less-than-ideal conditions. I am at our summer cottage with only the basic tools for clock repair, so I must either improvise or skip certain procedures.

No spring winder | no problem

The movement had already been restrained with a heavy copper wire.

A heavy copper wire contains the mainspring

First, partially reassemble the movement with only the main wheel and second wheels. Reattach the front plate and secure the movement with the 4 pillar nuts.

Attaching the second wheel allows the main wheel to be stabilized while the spring is wound using the ratchet.

Safety first

I strongly recommend wearing leather work gloves and eye protection. Handling mainsprings under tension can be hazardous, so prioritizing safety is crucial. Precautions are essential to protect yourself from potential injuries.

Next steps

The key is to hold onto the second wheel while winding the clock. Once fully wound the copper restraining wire can be removed. In the photo below the screwdriver is arresting the wheel while I take the photo.

Then, using a letdown tool, release the click by popping out the click spring from the rachet and allowing the mainspring to unwind. The main wheel with the relaxed spring can now be safely removed from the movement.

The letdown tool is on the right

Servicing involves carefully removing the main wheel from the spring, manually inspecting and cleaning the spring, re-oiling it, and reconnecting it with the main wheel.

The mainspring is removed from the main wheel for cleaning

Reassembly

After cleaning the main wheel and the spring, simply reverse the procedure. Reattach the click spring, join the main wheel and the mainspring, place them back in the movement along with the second wheel, wind the spring, and secure it again with the copper restraining wire. Once this is done, you can continue to reassemble the movement.

May not be suitable for all applications

This approach allows the main wheel to be cleaned in the ultrasonic cleaner along with all the other movement parts.

While this method may not be suitable for all open mainspring designs, it might be the solution for you.

Servicing a mainspring without a spring winder isn’t ideal, it can still be done safely and effectively.

Servicing this movement is reminiscent of days gone by when Dad (or Mom) would gather tools from the shed to fix the family clock. The repair might not have been perfect, but the goal was always to keep the clock running reliably until the next time it needed attention.

The homeliest clock in my collection is also one of my favorites

My collection boasts more than 90 clocks, with 51 on display throughout my home, 6 at our summer cottage, and 19 running non-stop. The majority of my 90 clocks are operational, although I periodically switch out some of them to maintain the 19 that run continuously.

One clock remains in its place in an upper hallway. One might assume that the clock is the priciest, rarest, most intricately designed, or possesses highly unique features. However, it’s quite the opposite—it is very plain, unremarkable in appearance, and a clock that some would consider unworthy of repair. Opinions may differ but I leave it up to you, the reader.

It is a circa 1895 Ansonia Extra Drop wall clock made by the Ansonia Brass and Copper Co. but is missing two essential features, the brass bezel for the clock dial and the lower access door (more on the door later). Otherwise, the clock came with most of its parts.

This clock has seemingly journeyed through life with its smile turned upside down. It’s a genuine barn discovery, and one can only speculate about the years it had spent scattered in pieces gathering dust and rust without knowing that it would be resurrected one day.

Ansonia Extra short drop wall clock on a bench in pieces
I brought the clock home wondering what to do

After bringing the clock home, I found myself considering its future. At first, I debated whether to salvage the movement, the veneer, the finials, or the frame, or simply discard the clock altogether since its cost was negligible.

Then it dawned on me that despite missing some components, the clock could be revived. The idea of the clock languishing unused and neglected evoked feelings of sympathy, which I admit is a strange feeling for an inanimate object. In our throw-away world today perhaps the value in reviving and cherishing something that had been forgotten or overlooked, restoring its purpose and significance, led me to appreciate it even more.

Eight years ago, I was enthusiastic and eager to acquire clocks to work on them, and given my beginner status in movement servicing and case repair, I entertained the idea of using it as a learning platform for restoration. Repairing a broken clock always provides a valuable learning experience, allowing one to develop new skills in mechanics, craftsmanship, and problem-solving, which can be applied to future projects.

Let’s go through the steps I followed for this project.

The Movement

The time-only movement was encrusted with rust, presenting a significant challenge to restore it to working order. I spent considerable time scrubbing, cleaning, and meticulously sanding away the rust from the pivots and other steel parts.

The time only movement of an Ansonia wall clock
The movement was seized and coated in rust

While I initially considered replacing a severely rusted mainspring, upon closer inspection, I realized that much of the rust was superficial, leading me to reconsider the need for replacement.

Ansonia time-only movement on a test stand
On the test stand

Eventually, my efforts paid off, and I succeeded in getting the movement to run smoothly once again.

The case

Next, attention turned to the case. While a significant portion of the original label remained intact on the backboard, a section had broken off and was lost forever.

Ansonia backboard with partial label and a piece of backboard glued to an original piece of backboard
Ansonia backboard with partial label and glued piece

To remedy this, I found a suitable backboard piece from an old ogee clock cut a piece to fit, and glued it in place. The backboard is attached to the clock case in the photo below.

The clock came with no drop door
The clock came without an access door

The case was also missing its access door, and rather than leaving the clock without one, I built a door frame using pieces of softwood. I then applied salvaged veneer from another project, gluing it onto the frame. Shaping old veneer over doweling is a challenging task, but I did my utmost to accomplish it as well as I could.

Veneer glued to the softwood frame and Knob and hinges ready to be attached
Not a perfect veneer job but good practice nonetheless

The rest of the case repair involved bringing the pieces together with glue and then applying traditional shellac to enhance the intricate, fine-grained characteristics of the rosewood veneer. To complete the project the dial required some paint touchups and suitable hands were sourced from a clock parts supplier.

Ansonia Drop Extra wall clock hanging on a wall
Ansonia Extra Drop wall clock

While not the most aesthetically pleasing clock by any measure, it symbolizes the trials of restoring a seemingly hopeless clock, transforming it into a functional piece that serves its purpose reliably every day.

However, its greatest achievement lies in offering me a valuable learning platform that I can apply to future projects. Every time I pass by the clock It reminds me not only of the work I put into the clock but moreover, that not all is lost and that certain things are indeed worth preserving.

A Gilbert Clock joins two other gallery clocks in my collection

Recently, I acquired a gallery clock in exchange for another clock. I favour wall clocks over other types due to their convenient wall placement, eliminating the need for a shelf or mantel. Additionally, they tend to draw more attention compared to other clock varieties.

The clock I traded, a rare Canadian cottage clock, held significant value, but overall, I am content with the exchange.

Gilbert gallery clock

Gallery clocks are often called pub clocks, canteen clocks, or office clocks.

Gallery clocks are often found in public galleries and exhibition spaces, where they serve both functional and decorative purposes. They are usually placed on prominent walls and are designed to be easily visible to visitors. These clocks can vary in style, ranging from antique designs with Roman numerals to more modern and contemporary styles with sleek, minimalist features.

This time-only gallery-style clock made by the Gilbert Company of USA is nondescript and quite ordinary looking. There is nothing special or distinctive about it.

The casing of the clock is relatively light in weight and based on the wood’s coloration, it seems to be made of cherry wood. A previous owner meticulously refinished the case, and while the result is impressive, it appears almost too flawless.

The clock has a 12″ Arabic dial and is 16 1/2″ across with spade hour hand and minute hand with a heavy brass dial bezel. The dial is constructed from paper and lacks a metal backing, clearly indicating a cost-saving measure.

A 12-inch dial is considered the standard size for a gallery clock and a 12-inch dial would have been the maximum size for a domestic environment. I own a smaller 10″ gallery clock, crafted in England, equipped with a conventional spring-driven movement, specifically designed for placement in a compact office setting. Larger 14″ and 16″-inch” gallery clocks on the other hand would have been found in public areas, factories, and post offices.

At first glance, it’s easy to mistake this conventional spring-driven pendulum clock for a fusee clock. Upon closer inspection, however, its features set it apart from the traditional fusee clock, revealing its true identity as an ordinary mass-produced spring-driven time-only American-made clock.

Movement as seen from the trap door

The winding arbour sits just below the central cannon, and above the centre cannon, you’ll find the Gilbert trademark. Interestingly, the winding arbour is positioned in the same location as that of a typical fusee gallery clock.

This specific movement is present in other Gilbert time-only clocks and is almost identical to the one used in the Gilbert Admiral calendar clock.

Time-only movement
Gilbert Admiral with calendar

A trap door on the bottom provides access to the pendulum. When the clock is hung on the wall, attaching the pendulum to the pendulum rod is nearly impossible. I discovered that laying the clock on its back, attaching the pendulum bob to the hook, and then carefully mounting the clock on the wall is a slightly easier method.

The trap door opens to reveal the pendulum bob

The previous owner found the clock in Virginia and brought it to Canada. The clock was lacking its original glass, but a replacement was included as part of the exchange deal. In addition, the clock was completely serviced, one bushing hole was found to be enlarged and a new bushing was installed.

Two other gallery clocks

The two other gallery clocks in my collection are a clock with a 10″ dial made by a British maker, Empire, and a 12-inch (dial) fusee clock, maker unknown but likely British.

12 ” Fusee clock
10″ gallery clock made in England by Empire

Given that the Gilbert clock underwent a thorough servicing and the missing glass was replaced, my only task remained to find a suitable spot to display it.

A diminutive schoolhouse clock by Sessions

Time only movement for a wall clock

The Sessions Clock Company of America was one of the leading clock manufacturers in the United States in the early 20th century. Founded in 1903 by William E. Sessions and Aaron Lufkin Dennison in Forestville, Connecticut, the company quickly gained a reputation for producing clocks that were both reliable and affordable.

Over the years, the Sessions Clock Company produced a wide range of clocks, including mantle clocks, and wall clocks, and became known for their innovative designs.

A very popular model was the schoolhouse clock. Schoolhouse wall clocks have a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Originally used in schools, and other public places, these clocks were designed to be reasonably accurate and reliable timekeepers, with large, easy-to-read dials and distinctive wooden cases with glass-paneled lower access doors showing a moving pendulum.

A comparatively small schoolhouse showing incorrect hands

Over time, schoolhouse clocks became popular in homes and offices, with various manufacturers producing their own versions of the classic design. Today, schoolhouse wall clocks remain a popular choice for those seeking a traditional timepiece and are often seen as a symbol of American craftsmanship and design.

Diminutive clocks were popular in their day because of the lower cost compared to a larger wall clock. This clock is 21 inches high by 13 1/2 inches wide with a 7-inch dial and it is difficult to envision how it could be seen clearly in a large classroom setting but for some school regions, the cost was an important factor. Standard schoolhouse clocks are typically seven to eight inches longer and have 12-inch dials.

Most schoolhouse clocks were designed to display only the time, with no additional features such as a striking mechanism or date displays. This simplicity allowed for a greater focus on reliability, which was essential in public spaces such as schools where good timekeeping and long periods between servicing were crucial.

Shown in the middle with a Waterbury on the right and Sessions on the left, all are time-only clocks

I have had this particular Sessions clock for over a year and it stops from time to time. It likely requires a good cleaning and it is time to put it on the workbench. The case is in excellent condition and I see no need for intervention aside from cleaning with soap and water.

We’ll see what we shall find. I’ll report back in a week or two but this should be a standard servicing job and I am not expecting any surprises.

Jauch time only calendar clock – a closer look

I am all in for a bargain and one cannot buy a clock any cheaper. A friend spotted this German-made Jauch time-only calendar clock in a thrift shop for $1.65.

Schoolhouse clock made in Western Germany by Jauch

The date stamped on the movement is July 1979 which is no surprise since the clock has a number of modern features such as a magnetic lower door clasp and lift-up hinged dial bezel.

Jauch time-only movement, PL42, length of pendulum in cms, date7/79

The clock is certainly a nostalgic return to the oak-cased schoolhouse clocks found in many schoolrooms 100 years ago like the Gilbert Admiral calendar clock (pictured below) from the late 1890s, but the case is a cheaper pine instead of oak.

Glbert Admiral time-only wall clock with calendar

The clock looks good on any wall and to many, this vintage clock would appear, at first glance, to be an antique.

In an earlier post, I noted that there is not a lot wrong with this clock. The case needs a little tender loving care which is easily remedied and the movement looks very clean.

I removed the movement from its case since it was not running, mounted it on a movement test stand, and made an anchor adjustment by moving the pallets slightly. The movement was now in beat. I oiled the movement and it has been running for several days.

The movement is on a test stand and running in beat

Two vertical pieces that looked like wallboard or laminate flooring hold the movement in place. The two sides are secured with 2 Robertson screws. I doubt the manufacturer would have used Roberton screws since this type of screw is widely used in Canada but seldom elsewhere.

When I removed the movement I noticed additional screw holes. So, it seems to be a later fix, but why? Is the movement a replacement? If so, why bother with such a cheap clock? A mystery to be sure.

The movement looks very clean and looks to have had little running.

Next is taking the movement apart. I wonder if any surprises await me.

Jauch time only calendar clock – first look

Jauch was related to one of the oldest Black Forest clock-maker families. The Gerbrueder Jauch company manufactured hall, wall, and mantel clocks and movements for the trade including those that were spring and weight operated. In late 1979, the company fell victim to a curtailed export limiting production. Gerbrueder Jauch GmbH eventually went bankrupt in 1986. The remaining stock was purchased by a leading clock/watch supply house in the USA.

The company was a respected supplier of relatively inexpensive but attractive clocks for the average home. This drop octagon schoolhouse-style clock is a prime example of an inexpensively made clock for the masses.

Drop octagon wall clock with the back panel removed

The clock is 23 inches high, 15 inches across, and almost 5 inches deep, dimensions that are very close to the classic American schoolhouse clock made over 100 years ago. Rather than an oak case which is typically found in antique American clocks, the case for this one is a much cheaper pine.

This clock’s bezel is hinged at the top with a flip-up design rather than one that swings to the right which makes winding the clock a two-handed operation.

Flip-up bezel

The clock has “Western Germany” on the bottom part of the dial and the movement which is also stamped July of 1979.

Magnetic catch

For all you history buffs, the Berlin wall was erected in 1961, and Germany was finally unified in 1989.

Standard Jauch time-only movement with calendar feature

I have worked on Jauch time-only movements in the past but never one with a calendar feature. One interesting aspect is the distance from the dial face to the winding arbour necessitating a long #7 key which I do not have.

This one is not in working order. Laying it down flat will cause the escape wheel to run but once on the wall, it abrupting stops after a swing or two of the pendulum. I suspect the anchor escapement is way off or there is serious bushing wear in the top part of the train.

A friend spotted this clock in a local thrift shop for $1.65. Why so little? Thrift shops deal with a constant flow of donated items so any price charged is pure profit. Vintage quartz clocks usually wind up at the thrift shop but not many mechanical clocks do. This is a good find since there isn’t anything fundamentally wrong with the clock save for a scuffed-up case which can be easily remedied with a cleaning and a fresh clear-coat finish.

Western Germany; why not simply “West Germany”

Unless there is something seriously wrong with the movement such as spring barrel bushing wear that I have seen on other Jauch movements, it should be an easy task to have this clock running again.

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