Skeleton Clock Collection, Page One

The skeleton clocks shown exhibit some unusual feature; an interesting mechanical design, rare or complex escapement, mechanism, remontoire or frame design. The following adapted quote nicely sums up my fascination with skeleton clocks and clocks in general where one can see the mechanical movement. "A well made skeleton clock is a joy to behold - an elegant confection of brass and steel, wood, marble and glass, its' mechanicals visible inside its' crystal case, its' clockwork heart ticking away happily as it takes the pulse of the day."1

 
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Edward John Dent, London, England, c. 1850's. Peter Holtby, Hampshire, England, 2000. Arman Collin-Wagner, Paris, France, 1886.
Single train, six-legged gravity escapement, 15-second Wagner 'swinging frame' style remontoire. Exhibition piece Three train, w/ late 18th century, 6 tune  music box playing 12 bells, 19 hammers. Graham deadbeat escapement, Single train - jeweled, Graham deadbeat escapement-jeweled movement and pallets, 30-second Wagner 'swinging frame' style remontoire.

 

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H.A. Campiche & Paul Ditisheim, Geneva, Switzerland, c.1910. John Bennett, Cheapside, London, England, c.1870. James Condliff, Liverpool, England, c. 1830's.
Earnshaw detent escapement, jeweled movement. Experimental model made for later production chronometer marketed by Ditisheim. Three train Graham deadbeat with mercury compensated pendulum. Whittington played on  8 bells.  Exhibition piece. Two train. Balance wheel w/ lever escapement. First series by Condliff.

 

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Unknown, England, c. later 1800's. John Smith & Sons, Clerkenwell, London, England, c. 1860's John Smith & Sons, Clerkenwell, London, England, c. 1860's
Three train, gravity escapement w/ jeweled pallets, high tooth, pinion and train counts. (6 wheels going, 5 each in strike trains). Exhibition piece. Three train, Vulliamy deadbeat escapement, quarter strike Cambridge on nine bells. Presentation piece. Three train, Graham deadbeat escapement, quarter strike Whittington on eight bells and gong. Presentation piece.

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1. Winchester, Simon, Krakatoa, The Day the Earth Exploded, USA 2003