VR-396 Altdeutsche 3 weight Vienna Regulator by Gebrueder Resch
The Austrian movement is marked Remember, 100000 and 44266. The pendulum suspension hanger and the four-post mechanism mount are also marked 44266.
This rather large and impressive walnut Vienna Regulator has one of the nicest Altdeutsche-period cases that I have seen for quite a while.
In 1861 Lorenz Resch opened the first clock factory in Austria to produce Vienna Regulators. The factory was located in Vienna until 1871 when he built a factory in the picturesque town of Ebensee. Lorenz died before the factory opened, and his three sons went on to become the envy of the Austrian clock industry.
The clocks made by the Resch factory are comparable to the very best of the Beckers, and on par with Lenzkirch clocks. “Remember” clocks were sold through a Vienna outlet and widely exported. In fact, Kroeber imported many into the US. They usually have the movement attached to the brass mounting plate by keyhole slots slipping over turned studs. The Resch factory made only weight-driven mechanisms.
With the death of Lorenz the sons changed the name of the company to Gebrueder Resch (Gebr. Resch, or GR, meaning “Brothers Resch”). The classic trademark “Remember” is credited with being developed by the factory workers who wanted to have a way of marking the love they felt for the factory owner on his death. The factory production reached its peak in 1885, producing from 12,000 to 15,000 clocks per year.
The mechanism appears to be in good condition, though it could use a good cleaning. The dial is perfect, with no hairline cracks or flaws. And, all four holes have grommets - a nice and very functional touch.
The thing I notice when I first looked at this clock was that it has some of the most beautiful carving that I have seen on a Vienna Regulator. The carved base is truly amazing, especially in the way that it shows of the beauty of the walnut from which it is made. Both the depth and quality of the carving, as well as the rather complex treatment to the very bottom of the clock - an extra piece between the carved base and the tail finial make this a truly unusual case. Even the finials are special - with their fluted design!
The door columns are complete, separate pieces, not just half or three-quarter columns glued to the side of the door. I have included detail pictures of the column top and bottom carving and turning - all in excellent condition, and providing a prime example of what is so special about Viennese clocks.
Note too the picture frame to the back-board with its inset burled veneer. And, as with the finest clocks, the center section of veneer is not just veneer applied to the backboard, it is a complete separate piece of wood set into the backboard - showing as a separate piece from the back of the case as well.
Did I mention this case is in phenomenal condition? Well, it is. If it had a headpiece it would be very hard to let go of.
Details - original, and perfect (if dirty) beat scale, a wonderful winding key with an ebonized wood knob, key-lock door (with key, working of course), very nicely embossed pulleys, pendulum bob and weights in very nice to perfect condition, original wall stabilizers, all of the glass is old, and held in by wooden strips which match the color and the finish of the rest of the clock. It is these small details that make this such a wonderful piece.
Even if you have Altdeutsche Vienna Regulators in your collection, and even though this piece is missing its headpiece, it is a clock that stands out for its quality and style, and would make an excellent addition to any collection.
Read MoreThis rather large and impressive walnut Vienna Regulator has one of the nicest Altdeutsche-period cases that I have seen for quite a while.
In 1861 Lorenz Resch opened the first clock factory in Austria to produce Vienna Regulators. The factory was located in Vienna until 1871 when he built a factory in the picturesque town of Ebensee. Lorenz died before the factory opened, and his three sons went on to become the envy of the Austrian clock industry.
The clocks made by the Resch factory are comparable to the very best of the Beckers, and on par with Lenzkirch clocks. “Remember” clocks were sold through a Vienna outlet and widely exported. In fact, Kroeber imported many into the US. They usually have the movement attached to the brass mounting plate by keyhole slots slipping over turned studs. The Resch factory made only weight-driven mechanisms.
With the death of Lorenz the sons changed the name of the company to Gebrueder Resch (Gebr. Resch, or GR, meaning “Brothers Resch”). The classic trademark “Remember” is credited with being developed by the factory workers who wanted to have a way of marking the love they felt for the factory owner on his death. The factory production reached its peak in 1885, producing from 12,000 to 15,000 clocks per year.
The mechanism appears to be in good condition, though it could use a good cleaning. The dial is perfect, with no hairline cracks or flaws. And, all four holes have grommets - a nice and very functional touch.
The thing I notice when I first looked at this clock was that it has some of the most beautiful carving that I have seen on a Vienna Regulator. The carved base is truly amazing, especially in the way that it shows of the beauty of the walnut from which it is made. Both the depth and quality of the carving, as well as the rather complex treatment to the very bottom of the clock - an extra piece between the carved base and the tail finial make this a truly unusual case. Even the finials are special - with their fluted design!
The door columns are complete, separate pieces, not just half or three-quarter columns glued to the side of the door. I have included detail pictures of the column top and bottom carving and turning - all in excellent condition, and providing a prime example of what is so special about Viennese clocks.
Note too the picture frame to the back-board with its inset burled veneer. And, as with the finest clocks, the center section of veneer is not just veneer applied to the backboard, it is a complete separate piece of wood set into the backboard - showing as a separate piece from the back of the case as well.
Did I mention this case is in phenomenal condition? Well, it is. If it had a headpiece it would be very hard to let go of.
Details - original, and perfect (if dirty) beat scale, a wonderful winding key with an ebonized wood knob, key-lock door (with key, working of course), very nicely embossed pulleys, pendulum bob and weights in very nice to perfect condition, original wall stabilizers, all of the glass is old, and held in by wooden strips which match the color and the finish of the rest of the clock. It is these small details that make this such a wonderful piece.
Even if you have Altdeutsche Vienna Regulators in your collection, and even though this piece is missing its headpiece, it is a clock that stands out for its quality and style, and would make an excellent addition to any collection.
