Unraveling the Enigma Surrounding the Campus Timepiece
In the world of antique clocks, each piece tells a story. And the latest addition to one collector's collection is no exception. This spring-driven Mission style hall clock, recently purchased from a local online marketplace, has caught the attention of clock enthusiasts due to its unique features.
The clock, which sports a classic Mission style cabinet, is not a New Haven factory clock. Instead, it's a grandfather clock fitted with a spring-driven movement and decorated with fake weights, a less common variation of the traditional Mission style clocks.
The movement, stamped with the number 27, could either be a date stamp or the length of the pendulum in inches. The plates of the movement are pinned, suggesting an older New Haven movement. The movement runs at 72 beats per minute (bpm), not the typical 60 bpm for a hall clock.
The clock's cabinet, however, was crafted separately, possibly in a shop. The New Haven movement, dial face, numbers, hands, chains, and weight cans were acquired as a kit and installed in the cabinet.
The owner, who has had the clock for 20 years and is now downsizing, plans to delve deeper into the servicing of the movement and cleaning of the case in future articles. The movement, after a short run on a test stand, stops, hinting at the need for some TLC.
While this type of clock may not be the predominant variety, it serves as a testament to the creativity and adaptability of clockmakers in the past. The use of spring-driven movements for convenience and compactness is a fascinating aspect of this piece, making it a captivating addition to any clock collection.
Vintage clock collectors might find interest in the owner's unique Mission-style grandfather clock, equipped with a smart-home-device-like spring-driven movement. This intriguing gadget, combined with traditional technology components, could potentially be the first of its kind in a smart-home-setting, merging the past with the future of timepiece innovations.
Such vintage clocks, like this one with its uncommon attributes, further exemplify the ingenuity and versatility in the realm of technology and gadgetry throughout history.
