An important high grade astronomical regulator clock. 217024

This clock is pictured in Dererk Roberts, English Precision Pendulum Clocks, on page 218. Roberts states that he purchased this clock from a shipping line in the 1970s. It was used as their master clock, and one of the uses was to set the company's chronometers against it.

This eight-day regulator movement, a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, is of excellent quality. The plates are heavily constructed and are substantial. Six heavy pillars or posts are screwed through the front, and back plates are used to support them. The movement features a dead-beat escapement, and the pallet facings are jeweled; the gearing is light and designed with six crossings, the pinion count is high, having as many as 16 leaves, end stops are positioned on the first two pivot positions, and these are adjustable by screw regulation. A heavy bridge carries the front pivots. Other features include Harrison's maintaining power, a spring-loaded winding guide or stop, and fine adjustments for the beat and the crutch. The fine adjustment of the crutch is located at the back of the movement. The pendulum is carried or supported by a heavy bar that spans both plates and extends beyond the backplate. A nicely shaped cradle locks the pendulum in place. The pendulum features a steel rod that supports a single glass jar intended to hold a volume of mercury. Mercury is used for temperature compensation. A decorative cradle supports this jar. It is attractive and incorporates a fine regulation adjustment in the design. The brass weight features a decorative shell hanging from a pulley with six crossings.

The brass dial is engraved in an astronomical format, with individual dials for the seconds, minutes, and hour displays. Please note that the hours are displayed in a 24-hour format. It is interesting to note that very few regulators display the hours in this manner. The vast majority of these hour dials are shown in the traditional 12-hour format. This brass dial is treated with a silver wash for contrast. The three hands are blued steel and original to this clock.

The case is constructed in mahogany and features flamboyantly figured mahogany veneers. The veneers are first-rate and exhibit vibrant grain patterns. An applied double-stepped molding elevates the case up off the floor. The base panel is cross-banded in a broad band of mahogany. The waist section features a large door that is fitted with glass. Through this, one can view the pendulum and weight. The front corners of the case are canted. The hood features an architectural pediment at the top. The hood door is fitted with a circular aperture that fits the dial.

This clock was made circa 1845.

The case measures approximately 6 feet and 6 inches tall to the top of the molding, 18 inches wide, and 11 inches deep at the base molding.

Inventory number 217034.