Not a watch, but a clock.
Discussion
Can anyone tell me anything about this clock? It's been in my family quite a while and currently does not reside with me (i'm not gold digging 
) and we know very little other than it was my Grandad's for many, many years before he passed.
It's still fully operational, including chimes through the hour and the hourly bonging of 1>12. My old dear seems to think its dated from 1600's but I would say 1800's myself but that's pure conjecture.
Googling for the name on the face returns nothing of use!
The weights are ridiculously heavy....they almost feel like they are magnetically attracted to the floor such is the weight.
I can get more pics if necessary, sorry about the quality but i've screencaptured the originals to make sure there's no location info attached....you never know who's watching!
) and we know very little other than it was my Grandad's for many, many years before he passed.It's still fully operational, including chimes through the hour and the hourly bonging of 1>12. My old dear seems to think its dated from 1600's but I would say 1800's myself but that's pure conjecture.
Googling for the name on the face returns nothing of use!
The weights are ridiculously heavy....they almost feel like they are magnetically attracted to the floor such is the weight.
I can get more pics if necessary, sorry about the quality but i've screencaptured the originals to make sure there's no location info attached....you never know who's watching!
You could try contacting the British Horological Institute - if anyone knows they will.
DaveL485 said:
That's pretty mental to think that thing is well over 200 years old. I wonder where it started its life, what places it's been in...
That was looking at the third picture, sorry, bad joke.The BHI really is your best bet.
How is the paint ? Does it look like it's been redone on the face ? I think that's normally a clue to its age.
sneijder said:
DaveL485 said:
That's pretty mental to think that thing is well over 200 years old. I wonder where it started its life, what places it's been in...
That was looking at the third picture, sorry, bad joke.sneijder said:
How is the paint ? Does it look like it's been redone on the face ? I think that's normally a clue to its age.
Paint? Its not painted as far as I can see. All metal....or do you mean the numerals? You could try contacting the British Horological Institute - if anyone knows they will.
ETA: Just realised my post has appeared again, only a day later - no idea why that's happened!
ETA: Just realised my post has appeared again, only a day later - no idea why that's happened!
Edited by judas on Tuesday 17th April 20:20
Hard to tell from the pics, but it certainly looks like an early London-influenced clock - maybe 1770-ish?
Does it chime the quarters on 8 bells? If so, what "tunes" does it play? Is the chiming mechanism original, or a later addition?
Is the decoration on the case marquetry, or is it painted on?
Does it chime the quarters on 8 bells? If so, what "tunes" does it play? Is the chiming mechanism original, or a later addition?
Is the decoration on the case marquetry, or is it painted on?
clockworks said:
Hard to tell from the pics, but it certainly looks like an early London-influenced clock - maybe 1770-ish?
Does it chime the quarters on 8 bells? If so, what "tunes" does it play? Is the chiming mechanism original, or a later addition?
Is the decoration on the case marquetry, or is it painted on?
8 bells...I think so, yes. I certainly remember a set of tuneful bongs coming from it back in the day it was in constant use. Chiming is original I believe.Does it chime the quarters on 8 bells? If so, what "tunes" does it play? Is the chiming mechanism original, or a later addition?
Is the decoration on the case marquetry, or is it painted on?
Case decoration is Marquetry.
Your clock is rather better than the one on the the video!
Proper antique quarter-chiming longcase clocks aren't particularly common. Even if the chime was added in the Victorian era, it's still a good clock (assuming that the rest of is original, and not a "marriage").
20th century German stuff like the one in the video is much more common, and worth an awful lot less.
Definitely worth getting a proper valuation done, then putting it back in working order if it proves to be straight. I've not been to an auction for a few years, and I stick to repairs rather than sales, but I reckon it's worth a bob or two.
Proper antique quarter-chiming longcase clocks aren't particularly common. Even if the chime was added in the Victorian era, it's still a good clock (assuming that the rest of is original, and not a "marriage").
20th century German stuff like the one in the video is much more common, and worth an awful lot less.
Definitely worth getting a proper valuation done, then putting it back in working order if it proves to be straight. I've not been to an auction for a few years, and I stick to repairs rather than sales, but I reckon it's worth a bob or two.
clockworks said:
Definitely worth getting a proper valuation done,
I will chase [the owners] to get that done, and maybe insure it too then. They don't even have contents insurance at all at the minute!clockworks said:
then putting it back in working order if it proves to be straight.
It does work, it was only taken apart for transport to where it is now. It's 100% working, if a little rough around the edges!Appreciate your help, i'll try and get them to sort it out with regards valuation and insurance.
I suspect that might be quite an old clock. The earliest long case clocks used brass dials, slowly being replaced by painted face dials around the late 1700's.
The maker also notes his town as 'Staynes' which is old english for 'Staines', or if you live in the place now 'Staines-upon-Thames'.
Edit, and sometimes Staines-under-a-lot-of-the thames
The maker also notes his town as 'Staynes' which is old english for 'Staines', or if you live in the place now 'Staines-upon-Thames'.
Edit, and sometimes Staines-under-a-lot-of-the thames
Edited by Lorneg on Wednesday 4th February 14:35
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