Antique 1890s Mahogany Ithaca Clock Co Tall Case Grandfather Clock Working

An exception and rare federal style case for a Seth Thomas calendar clock model No 2 or No 3. Manufactured in the last quarter of the 19th c...

Early 20th Century Kienzle key wound mantel clock with simple neoclassical mahogany case and floral etched brass face including controls for speed and chime above the clockface. Arab...

Antique Western Union, Naval Observatory Time, self winding clock. Features a tall wooden case with carved corners and pediment mounted with tin sign reading "Naval Observatory Time Hourly By Western Union. White metal face with black Roman numerals and hands. Interior of case labeled "Property of Self-Winging Clock Co New York" and serial number on metal tag as well as on works. F Style / Vibrator movement, Serial Number 92630 (likely manufactured before 1917). Patented Oct. 4, 1898 by the Self Winding Clock Company. Fitted with Archer AC Adapter. "The Self Winding Clock Company (SWCC) of New York began business in 1886 marketing their own electro-mechanical clocks based on the 1884 electro-mechanical clock patent of one of the company founders, Chester Pond (1844-1912). The innovative principle of this clock mechanism was the incorporation of a small electric winding motor that automatically rewound the mainspring after the clock ran for one hour. The clocks were powered by batteries. The batteries would last at least one year. By being automatically rewound each hour, the strain on the mechanism was kept to a minimum, resulting in a very accurate timepiece. At about the same time SWCC began selling clocks, Pond was developing an electro-mechanical synchronizer attached to the clock movement that could synchronize the clock hands to an accurate time source. The synchronization occurs when a remote, precisely timed, electrical impulse is sent via wires connected to the individual clocks. By 1887 the synchronizers had been so improved that the Self Winding Clock Company could not only market individual clocks but also sell entire synchronized clock systems. By the 1960’s the days of individual elegant mechanical timepieces and synchronized time systems were over. SWCC ceased operations in the late 1960’s. All company records and inventories were relegated to the trash pile. The STYLE “F”, or as commonly referred to, the VIBRATOR movement was developed by Frederick M. Schmidt in the late 1890’s. By 1898 the “F” movement was being installed in almost all SWCC clocks. The movement has a Graham dead beat escapement. The “F” movement incorporates both the time train and winding motor in one set of plates. The motor used a single pair of coils. It was more reliable and easier to service than the rotary movement. The mainspring is re-wound after running for one hour. The vibrating armature oscillates up and down carrying a winding lever with a pawl that turns the winding wheel. The “F” movement was used in individual clocks and in clocks that were part of synchronized systems. It was made in 60, 80,120 and 140 beat versions. There were virtually no changes to the movement in 60 plus years the movement was in production. Almost all Style “F” movements wound on 3 volts DC. Style “F” movement serial numbers started in the 33,000’s and the first movements were probably made in 1898. The earliest plates had patent dates of 1891, 1892 & 1898. Serial numbers with these patent dates go up to the 63,000’s and were made before 1908. By 1908 the plates only had the 1898 patent date. By using catalog images of movement serial numbers it can be concluded that movements with serial numbers up to 112,000 were made in or before 1917. Movements with serial numbers up to 196,000’s were made in or before 1929. The single patent date serial numbers go as high as 220,000’s. Then there appears to be a large numbering gap. Finally, movements appear with no patent dates and serial numbers with the prefix FR. These numbers start at 300,000 but only continue to about 302,000. Start again at 400,000 and continue to about 402,000. Based on the large serial number gaps, the total number of “F” movements manufactured is probably around 200,000. They were manufactured between 1898 and possibly as late as the 1950’s. SWCC both sold clocks to and partnered with their biggest customer, Western Union in a nationwide distribution of precisely accurate “Naval Observatory Time” clocks. These either 120 or 140 beat Naval Observatory clocks...

"Antique 19th century Gilbert (William) Manufacturing Company Ogee style weight driven American Empire shelf clock. Made of walnut featuring gold and marbled columns, reverse painted floral roses, roman numeral face and brass works. Signed and dated on back, this clock was one of the last made before the fire closed the factory and the reincorporated under a new name. William L. Gilbert was born in 1806 in Northfield, CT (a village of Litchfield) and became interested in the booming clockmaking business at Bristol in 1828. In that year he and his brother–in–law George Marsh purchased a clock factory and formed the firm Marsh, Gilbert & Co. In 1835 Gilbert and John Birge formed Birge & Gilbert. In 1839 Gilbert became part of Jeromes, Gilbert, Grant & Co. to make the newly introduced 30 hour brass weight driven clock. In 1840 Gilbert moved to Winsted, a village within Winchester, CT and with two partners bought the old Riley Whiting...

Antique mid 19th century 8 day skeleton clock. Centrally mounted on wood base featuring exposed Fusee movement and protected from dust by a glass dome.  

Mid century Tiffany & Company gilt metal battery operated desk clock featuring a rectangular form with art deco feet and hands, and minimal...

This 19th Century Grandfather Clock is decorated with hand-painted, gold leaf chinoiserie. The black lacquer case with gilded and painted Scottish landscapes; where the sheep are gra...

8 bells and gongs, this is a magnificent clock in every aspect of its construction.

Shaker-Style Tall Case Grandfather Clock from the 20th century, painted red and black. Here are the details: Style: Shaker-Style Type: Tall Case Grandfather Clock Period: 20th centu...

Antique Colonial Mfg. Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock. Item features a working lock and key, includes all parts pictured. Very ...

This is a very rare and unusual Arts and Crafts advertising clock display cabinet. It reads.. Time to Use Cedarine Furniture Polish. This example is as clean and fresh as it gets and...

19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...