Posted 12 years ago
JeffInMont…
(10 items)
This is a clock I designed and built. I found the movement, complete with dial and bezel at a clock shop. There was no case and I immediately had an idea of what I wanted to do with it. It only took about 15 years!! The French movement runs about 2 weeks and has a GIANT 9" dial! with a very heavy bezel and 3/8" thick beveled glass. I altered a pendulum from another clock to fit and made the case. While I made drawings for what I wanted, I have limited woodworking experience and had to 'design on the fly'. The sides are laminated plywood that I cold formed on a form to get the curve; the sides are 1 piece (left and right). It keeps excellent time, to within about a minute every 2 weeks, and strikes the hour and half-hour on a bell.
You've done an outstanding job then and had me going there for a few seconds till I read you'd make the case. I love these type of French clocks with the clear dials, exposed visible escapement and also visible pendulum. They were well made and appears almost like regulator quality judging by the type of pendulum. Some of the best types are those with centre seconds which are rarer.
Thanks for the kind words. The movement is rather large for a French clock, with square plates, large 1" wide springs, and rack and snail striking. The pendulum is from a German (probably) regulator and I had to shorten it to get the proper length. The star really adds to the look and I lucked out on that. I had a lot of fun making this.
So, it has square plates, yes, I've had 2 French clocks with square plates - rarer. Rack and snail is better by far. Interesting re pendulum.
Again, great job.
Perpcal