Antiquevintageclock.com's chosen treasure of the year
In the world of horology, one enthusiast has been on a captivating journey, amassing a collection of clocks that span various eras and origins. Let's delve into the captivating story of this collection, starting with the latest acquisition – a Scottish tall case clock from 1848.
This magnificent piece, assembled by William McLachlan of Newton, Steward, boasts an English bell strike movement, a tall, stately mahogany case, a beautiful hand-painted dial, and heavy 13 lb weights. It's a testament to the craftsmanship of the past and a valuable addition to the collection.
Another notable clock in the collection is the Fleet Westminster chime mantel clock, made by the Fleet Time Company of Montreal in the late 1930s. This clock, with its rich Westminster chime, was a rare find, having been assembled for just four short years before World War II. Movements for these clocks were sourced from Germany, while the cases were locally made.
The case of the Fleet Westminster chime mantel clock was refurbished, stripped down to bare wood, stained with medium oak, and given a clear satin topcoat. The time side mainspring was replaced, but the movement was only re-oiled, ensuring it continues to tick accurately.
The writer has decided to keep the Fleet Westminster chime mantel clock in their collection due to its Canadian horological history. Another Fleet Time Company clock was also acquired, but details about it were not provided.
A unique find in the collection is an Arthur Pequegnat Canuck time and strike gingerbread or kitchen clock, which the writer found for $50 on an online for-sale site. Another identical clock was acquired for an additional $10. The Arthur Pequegnat clock required case refreshing, dial inpainting, and movement refurbishing to bring it back to its former glory.
The collection also includes a Solar time and strike mantel clock, made in Germany and sold by Eatons Department store in Canada during the 1960s and 70s. Despite needing some servicing, case refreshing, brass polishing, new feet, and a prominent location in the family room, this clock remains a charming addition to the collection.
The writer plans to sell the Solar clock locally for a few dollars more. Another acquisition, a Junghans bracket clock, required servicing, case refreshing, brass polishing, new feet, and a prominent location in the family room.
In 2020, the writer made a remarkable find – a Scottish tall case clock, which they consider to be the best find of the year. The Sessions desk clock, with issues consistent with an 87-year-old electric clock, is in pretty good shape for its age. The only repair required was to replace the plug.
The collection also houses a Sessions 3W electric clock, which, surprisingly, needed no repairs. It now stands proudly in the writer's collection, a testament to their passion for horology.
This collection is a testament to the writer's dedication to horology and their quest to preserve these historical timepieces. Each clock tells a story, a piece of history, and a testament to the craftsmanship of the past. As the collection grows, so does the writer's appreciation for the art of clockmaking.
This collection showcases a variety of clocks, including a vintage Arthur Pequegnat Canuck time and strike gingerbread clock, which was acquired for a budget-friendly price and underwent restoration to restore its former charm. The writer also added a Sessions 3W electric clock to the collection, remarkably finding it in excellent condition with no repairs needed. This reaffirms the writer's passion for preserving vintage and historical timepieces, extending from wall clocks to mantel clocks, as represented by the Fleet Westminster chime mantel clock from Montreal.
The writer's collection is not limited to clocks, as they have also ventured into acquiring a Junghans bracket clock, exemplifying their interest in other areas such as home-and-garden items. Additionally, the writer's fascination extends beyond horology, as they even found a remarkable Scottish tall case clock in 2020, showcasing their love for travel and appreciation for antique items.
In the realm of lifestyle, this clock collection demonstrates the writer's dedication to preserving history and showcasing their unique finds, merging fashion-and-beauty with food-and-drink in their home-and-garden setting. This passion for horology transcends beyond the world of clocks, extending to their interest in cars and sports, as they meticulously restore each clock to its former glory.