VR-637 3 Weight Vienna Regulator with wonderful carving

This stunning clocks maker, Josef Linsbauer, won a medal for his work at the 1880 Vienna exhibition. Josef had a shop on Burgasse in 1864, but was no longer there in 1893. This Viennese piece is in excellent (if filthy) condition, very complete, and has more carving than normally found on an Altdeutsche case – which is saying a lot, since the Altdeutsche style thrives on carving. I find that a case like this, with a lot of grime covering the finish, cleans up fantastically. The beauty of all the grime is it has protected the underlying finish – this piece will be stunning when cleaned and waxed. And the case has a locking door - a small detail, but significant in showing the overall quality of this piece. Try finding a Becker with a key lock door...

The mechanism is a classic example of the exceptional work done by the Viennese masters. I love these mechanisms, they are so perfectly made, and so easy to get running. Easy, that is, if you are used to working on the finer mechanisms. If you wold like to see details of this clocks mechanism, please follow this link: http://www.snclocks.com/Fantastic-Clock-Mechanisms/Fantastic-Clock-Mechanisms/VR-637-late-but-stunning

One of the things that really brings home the quality of the finer Viennese mechanisms is the weight of the pendulum bob - this one is very heavy when compared to most, and is zinc backed, appropriate for an earlier Altdeusche piece. Note that the dial has no cracks, and the makers name is in good condition on the dial.

With its beautifully carved panel to the backboard and the restrained carving to the base, this case will be a master piece when cleaned and waxed. And, with the Viennese mechanism it will keep excellent time and note the quarters with a quiet and elegant chime. Clearly an exceptional piece.

If you would like to see the photo-book I put together to document this clock please check out http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=98eb0a260a3f7f65&sid=0SZsmTNi1ZOYA

The goal in restoring the case was to maintain as much patina as was possible while bringing out the beauty of the makers workmanship. The decision was made not to clean the case, but to instead only remove what dust and grime that would come off when the case was waxed. Liberon's Black Bison line of paste waxes is very effective at preserving the patina while acting as a vehicle for removing any loose dust or readily dissolved coal tars. <br />
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It is interesting to study the case, noting evidence of this clocks long life by the buildup on the top of horizontal or near horizontal surfaces, and to compare the color with areas that are protected from environmental fall-out. I was quite taken by the contrasts between the areas that are heavily impacted and those that were, in effect, shaded.

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The goal in restoring the case was to maintain as much patina as was possible while bringing out the beauty of the makers workmanship. The decision was made not to clean the case, but to instead only remove what dust and grime that would come off when the case was waxed. Liberon's Black Bison line of paste waxes is very effective at preserving the patina while acting as a vehicle for removing any loose dust or readily dissolved coal tars.

It is interesting to study the case, noting evidence of this clocks long life by the buildup on the top of horizontal or near horizontal surfaces, and to compare the color with areas that are protected from environmental fall-out. I was quite taken by the contrasts between the areas that are heavily impacted and those that were, in effect, shaded.

637 Case