Clock conundrum in the school hall finally answered
A peculiar mystery has arisen around a hall clock purchased from a local online sale site in the spring of 2021. Despite the owner's initial interest in acquiring an Arthur Pequegnat-made clock, the recently acquired piece does not bear the hallmark of this renowned manufacturer. Instead, it boasts a spring-driven New Haven mechanical movement, a feature that has sparked intrigue and a quest for knowledge about the clock's servicing and cleaning.
The movement, an antique square-aperture New Haven, is characterised by its pinned plates, a trait common in older New Haven movements. The presence of a cord tied to the strike lever, though seemingly redundant, adds to the clock's allure. The weights of the clock, however, were found to be fake by the seller, casting doubt on the clock's authenticity.
Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that this hall clock was not designed as a weight-driven clock, despite its appearance. Instead, it was crafted to resemble a weight-driven clock, with ladder chains screwed onto the backboard to simulate the traditional mechanism. The reason for this design choice lies in the advantages offered by spring-driven movements.
Spring-driven movements, such as the one in this clock, are favoured for their compactness and portability. Unlike weight-driven clocks, which rely on vertical height for weights to descend, spring-driven movements use coiled mainsprings to store energy, making them smaller and less dependent on space. This feature is particularly beneficial in hall clocks where space might be limited or where a more compact design is desired.
Moreover, spring-driven clocks are simpler to maintain and less prone to mechanical issues. Unlike weight-driven clocks, which require sufficient height clearance for the weights to drop and often chains or cables to manage, spring-driven clocks only need to be wound with a key or winding mechanism. This ease of installation and maintenance is a significant advantage for many clock owners.
The owner of the mystery hall clock is now planning to service the movement and clean the case of the clock, hoping to uncover more about its history and origin. The movement is stamped with a number 27, which could be a date stamp but is more likely the length of the pendulum in inches. The raised platform of the clock does not show any evidence of a seat board, suggesting that the cabinet may have been made separately and the other components added as a kit.
As the owner delves deeper into the mystery, they will no doubt discover more about the fascinating world of antique clocks and the intricate design choices that have shaped them over the centuries. Whether the mystery of this particular clock will ever be fully solved remains to be seen, but the journey of discovery is undoubtedly an exciting one.
The owner might consider complementing the vintage clocks with smart-home-devices, as the mystery hall clock, despite its weight-resembling appearance, operates on a spring-driven movement, a modern gadget that offers advantages in compactness and ease of maintenance. In time, the owner's fascination with the clock's history and origin could lead to a growing interest in technology and its impact on traditional items like clocks.
