On the cover of the October 2003 issue of Horological
Journal was a beautiful great-wheel skeleton clock by the firm Buchanan of Chelmsford.
I was interested to see if the firm was looking to sell this clock. After some discussion
it was learned that this company was looking to have specialty commissions. Both I and a
friend of mine were interested in hiring the firm and it was decided that he would
initiate the first commission. That has since been completed and was featured in the April
2006 issue of Horological Journal - a magnificent wall hanging regulator featuring
dual counter swinging pendulums and movements based on Breguet's famous design, but
including a unique escapement and remontoire system.I wanted my commission to be
unusual and unlike anything built before. My three guiding principals for the clock were
that it had to have scale (an imposing presence), movement
(many things happening to catch the eye) and complexity. Of
course it had to look beautiful incorporating all the basics of good design and
fabrication techniques as demonstrated by the master clock makers of the 18th - 19th
centuries. All to maximize visual impact. What you see here is a full scale mockup
done in wood of what has now begun to be manufactured in metal. The overall size of the
movement is 25"w x 29"h x 16"d. With the stand and case 36"w x
77" h x 24" d. Including the weights it's mass will be about 600-700 lb. No
expense has been spared in the design. It is my belief that this firm is possibly
unique in it's ability to build such a challenging project and to apply the high standards
expected for such a monumental effort.
This is a four train, quarter striking movement with the fourth train driving the
astronomical systems. The scapement is based on Harrison's H1 design and is driven by dual
swinging-frame remontoire. The clock's functions include: 400 year perpetual calendar,
equation of time, sidereal time, sun/moon rise and set, moon's phase and age, tides,
solar/lunar eclipses, planisphere, tellurium, and full-featured orrery to Saturn
with functional moons. There will be over 20 complications. Read further details on the design.
You can see the developmental stages leading to this model as well as the construction
as it progresses over the three
year duration here. Come join the adventure!
