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Tower Clock Collection, Page One
| Below are pictures of many interesting tower clocks. To see a
full page description and pictures of each just click on the picture. Many are unrestored,
but all are complete and functional. Since I only have the time to spend a few hours a
week upon restoration, it takes me about six to ten months for a typical clock. Over the
years I have found that when I divide the time it takes to do a movement by the number of
parts it comes out to an average of 20 minutes per piece. A tower clock can range
from just under 100 parts to over 500 with a typical movement in the range of 250.
Do you know of any interesting tower clock movements for sale? Email me!
mfrank1@rcn.com. One has to marvel at the
craftsmanship that many tower clock makers put into their work. It always fascinates
me the extent that some tower clock makers went through to make their movements look
attractive. This only adds to the cost with no possible improvement in the clock's
performance. Obviously the reason was to impress the buyer, but to think that after this
initial appraisal from the owner was finished, the magnificently made machine was nearly
always and forever thereafter unavailable to be seen by anyone other than the clock's
maintenance personnel. Tower clocks; their associated towers and upkeep were and
still are expensive propositions. Also these machines had to be accurate and reliable in
adverse climate, maintenance and operating conditions.
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Click on the picture to go to a
page for more detail. Most of the clocks
illustrated are for sale - See pricing!
| Collin-Wagner, Paris, France, c. 1880s |
Jean Wagner, Paris, France, c. 1860 |
John Smith & Sons, Clerkenwell, England, 1874 |
| Two train, pinwheel escapement, count-wheel, half and hour,
strike. Has a 30 second Bernard-Henri Wagner gravity remontoire. 34"w x
24"h x 14"d |
Three train, miniature flat bed frame tower clock. Unique
Mudge-type gravity escapement, exhibition piece for Paris Fair of 1861. 15.5"w x
9"h x 7"d |
Three train, Graham deadbeat escapement, rack & snail,
quarter strike.
45.75"w x 30"h x 24"d. $4000 |
| Julien Gourdin, Mayat, France, later 1800's. |
Mathias Schwalbach, Star Tower Clock Co., Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, USA, c. 1890's |
Unknown, probably English, c. 1860-1890's |
| Three train, pinwheel escapement, count-wheel, quarter strike.
54"w x 34"h x 25"d $4000 |
Three train, pinwheel escapement, count-wheel, quarter strike.
Has 60 second spring style remontoire patented by Schwalbach. 47"w x 70"h
x40"d $4000 |
Three train, four legged gravity escapement, count-wheel
quarter /rack & snail hour strike. 27"w x 30"h x 11.25"d |
| George Seybold, Landau, Germany,
c. 1900 |
Johannes Ritzert & Son, Gr. Ulmstadt, Germany, c.
1893 |
Edward Korfhage & Son, Buer, Germany, c. 1950 |
| Three train, grasshopper / free-escapement design,
count-wheel, quarter strike. Has 30 second gravity remontoire. 30 hour duration.
47"w x28"h x 16"d |
Two train, Graham deadbeat escapement, count-wheel, half and
hour strike. 30 hour duration. 38"w x 22"h x 18"d |
Three train, Graham deadbeat escapement, count-wheel, quarter
strike. Has 60 second differential style gravity remontoire. 30 hour duration.
38"w x 55"h x 30"d |
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