Hamburg American Clock Company Presents: Initial Glance at Shelf Clock
The world of clock collecting has a new addition, as one enthusiast acquires a Hamburg American Clock Company (HAC) mantel clock. This piece, a shelf clock primarily produced by the German company in the early to mid-20th century, is the first HAC clock in the owner's collection.
The clock, with its eight-day mechanical countwheel strike movement, was purchased from an online estate auction in early 2021. The movement, a testament to the durability and precision of German clockmaking, controls the striking of the hour and possibly the half-hour, using a wheel with notches that regulate the strike sequence.
Upon closer inspection, the clock is marked with the HAC trademark, a common identifier for clocks from this company. The classic round or box case design, adorned with a painted or decorated dial, is typical of mid-1900s German shelf clocks.
The HAC clock was initially spotted on Ottawa's Facebook Marketplace during the Christmas season. Despite its worn case, especially the dial, the clock's movement works perfectly. The owner has already had the movement serviced to ensure its longevity.
Interestingly, the plates of the movement are almost 2 mm thick, indicating a well-engineered design. The movement is attached to the inside front panel in an American style, rather than being bolted to a seat-board, which is a unique feature for this particular clock.
The HAC mantel clock is a significant addition to the owner's collection, which already includes other German clocks such as Junghans, Mauthe, Hermle, Jauch, Gufa, and more. The owner is now focusing on refurbishing the case of the HAC clock to restore it to its former glory.
For those unfamiliar, the Hamburg American Clock Company (HAC) was a well-known German company founded in 1883. Despite its English-sounding name, the company was German, and its clocks reflect the tradition of German precision and craftsmanship that transitioned from wooden clockworks to metal movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The company was part of Germany’s robust clockmaking industry based in and around Hamburg, producing mid-range, well-made mechanical clocks intended for domestic use.
In summary, the new HAC mantel clock in the collection is characterized by a durable eight-day mechanical countwheel strike movement, the HAC trademark, and a design that blends traditional craftsmanship with industrial clockmaking techniques of the early 20th century. The owner is excited to restore this piece and add it to their collection of German clocks.
The owner plans to complement their collection of vintage clocks, including Junghans, Mauthe, Hermle, Jauch, Gufa, and more, with a smart-home-device or gadget, embracing the merging of technology into the world of clock collecting. As they refurbish the HAC mantel clock, they also ponder the possibility of integrating the clock with smart-home-devices, merging old-world craftsmanship with modern-day technology.
