Waltham Watch Company. A Girandole Wall Timepiece. 221017.
The Waltham Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, made this outstanding centennial reproduction Girandole Timepiece. This form was made famous by the Concord, Massachusetts, Clockmaker Lemuel Curtis. Curtis designed and sold a similar clock in the 1820s. His clocks are eagerly sought by collectors and institutions today and are considered the ultimate expression of the wall timepiece form.
In 1802, Lemuel Curtis was an apprentice of the Willard’s in Boston. In 1811, he moved to Concord and set up shop as a Clockmaker specializing in timepieces. Over the years, he made several “improvements” to Willard’s original design. Examples of which are the single screw movement mounting system from the back of the case and alterations to the clocks suspension. Most clock collectors today would agree that Lemuel’s ultimate achievement was the design of this impressive and unique form. However, this form was not financially successful. It is speculated that this is most likely due to the added expense of constructing and finishing the case. As a result, it appears that a minimal number were originally produced. Most of these are now in the collections of our country’s best Museums. Over the years, many individuals and some companies have since made reproductions of this form. Some include The Waltham Watch Company, Elmer Stennes, Ted Burleigh, and Foster Campos. This group also made limited numbers due to the cost of manufacturing this lavish case style. Some interpretations are more successful than others. This example, offered here, is a faithful copy of the original form.
The Waltham Watch Company of Waltham made this example. Massachusetts. The various forms of the Waltham Clock and Waltham Watch Companies enjoyed a solid reputation for producing high-quality clocks. They made and sold Hall and Tall Case clocks and the Willard banjo form. They also offered a more industrial-looking line that had more superficial lines. These clocks were targeted to be hung in various commercial enterprises. This form, the Girandole, was the icing on the cake. It is thought that less than thirty examples were made. The form is considered by many to be America’s most beautiful entrant in the horological world.
This clock measures approximately fifty-six inches long. The case is constructed in mahogany and is finished in shellac. The case is die-stamped with case lot numbers in four locations. The first location is accessible to view. You will find a number 5 stamped into the back of the lower door. To see the next three stamps, one needs to remove the throat frame. On the back of the frame, you will find the number 14. The number 12 is stamped in two locations. Both are located on the right side of the case and are hidden under the throat frame mounts to the clock. The frames, bezel, carved eagle finial, and bracket are all wonderfully gilded in gold leaf. The condition of this gilding is excellent. The reverse-painted tablets are in excellent original condition. Both are painted and decorated on convex or bowed glass. The throat panel features an intricate border that is a traditional pattern. This border frames the red alcohol thermometer and engraved scale. The scale is brass, nicely engraved, and has been silvered. All of the Waltham versions of this form incorporate the thermometer in the throat. Below the thermometer window is an additional decoration with a red banner that reads “PATENT.” The bottom circular tablet depicts a mythological scene. It depicts “AURORA” as she is racing across the sky on her chariot. The coloring and detailing are first-rate. The side arms on the case are brass and nicely formed.
The dial is painted on metal and features the “WALTHAM” signature. The dial design features a closed minute ring, large Roman-style hour numerals, two gilt rings, and additional gold work decorating the openings around the center and winding holes. The hands are a traditional Lemuel Curtis form with concentric circles and barbed pointers.
The movement is brass construction and is of excellent quality. The front plate is die-stamped by the Clock company “Waltham Watch Co. U. S. A..” Interestingly, it is not numbered. It is weight-powered and is designed to run eight days on a full wind. The lead weight is original to this clock.
This is truly an excellent example of a beautiful clock.
Inventory number 221017.
The Waltham Clock and Waltham Watch Companies, in their various forms, have been synonymous with quality timepieces. The Company was first established in Waltham, Massachusetts, in January of 1897 as the Waltham Clock Company. Their products, known for their excellent quality, included hall, shelf, and then wall clocks. In 1913, they merged with the watchmaking giant Waltham Watch, but continued to produce clocks under the Waltham Clock name until 1923, when the name was changed to the Waltham Watch and Clock Company. In 1925, the name was changed again to the Waltham Watch Co. The production of pendulum clocks is reported to have ceased around 1930.
