VR-519 Altdeutsche Austrian week-running Granne-Sonnerie striking Vienna Regulator
This is one of those clocks whose finish is in excellent condition, silky to the touch, cleaned, and freshly waxed. When I receive clocks they are in “as-found” condition. This ranges from totally restored to pieces that have lain in the attic for many, many years. As you get to know SNClocks, you will find that the clocks that are in the filthiest condition are often the ones that look the best when they appear on the site. This is because I prioritize the clocks when they arrive based on how filthy they are. The worst ones are the first ones that I have my helpers clean. This not only makes them presentable, but also assures that my helpers are out of my hair for as long as possibe. This piece was first in line. In fact, I have included a close-up of one of the pinions in the strike train to give an idea of how dirty a mechanism can be. No, that is not mold growing on a piece of bread in my fridge. It is at least 50 years accumulation of dust. Now, remember that the case was closed for these long, quiet centuries. To all appearances we believe this clock hung on a wall for the last third of its life, door closed, in a wonderful state of preservation. Yes, think of the grunge as preservative and you will understand the phenomenal condition of some of the pieces I offer. I am convinced that the dust and coal residue from heating homes with stoves is a great way to preserve these pieces. And, while the mechanism is truly horrendous now, my experience has taught me that these “preserved” mechanisms are often in pristine condition. One of my theories is that the earlier clock repair people, here I am thinking pre WW-I, were generally competent, and owners were less inclined to tear into the works when it quit working. None the less, there really is a shiny pinion under the rather disgusting grime in the photo. In fact, these truly filthy mechanisms are typically the easiest to restore!
I think the case pretty much speaks for itself - narrow lines, beautifully carved details, a finish that is almost impossible to believe... And, all of the glass is old and wavy!
OK, it is missing its bottom finial: In a perfect world I would have already turned, stained, fauxed, aged, and finished a replacement. But, there just isn’t that much time when I am trying to get clocks ready to show. My repeat customers know that the replacement I will provide will be a perfect match, and that my $40 charge does not begin to cover the time it will take.
Details - matching pulleys, very nice, small weights (one missing its bottom plate - I would not replace it if it were going into my collection, but I can replace it if the buyer so desires), perfect, if dirty beat scale, original wall stabilizers and winding key, bob with no dings (ready to be polished to absolute perfection - included in the charge for cleaning the mechanism), delicate finials, lovely contrasting insets to the back board and the base, dial near perfect, with only one faint hairline which I expect to disappear when the dial is cleaned, all in all a very nice Austrian regulator.
A bit more on the mechanism - part of my standard cleaning is to polish, and if needed reblue the screws, the gongs and the hands. When done, these pieces add a lovely counter point to the polished brass. It is always so nice to be able to return a piece like this to its original condition!
I also noted that the mechanism, mounting plate, and top hanger for the pendulum are all serial numbered 40132 and that the escapement anchor is one of the finest I have seen - a clear sign of one of the finer Viennese mechanisms.
If you want a very nice, and still relatively small granne-sonnerie striking Vienna Regulator, and you like the narrower lines so well represented by this clock... well... I guess you should buy this one!
Read MoreI think the case pretty much speaks for itself - narrow lines, beautifully carved details, a finish that is almost impossible to believe... And, all of the glass is old and wavy!
OK, it is missing its bottom finial: In a perfect world I would have already turned, stained, fauxed, aged, and finished a replacement. But, there just isn’t that much time when I am trying to get clocks ready to show. My repeat customers know that the replacement I will provide will be a perfect match, and that my $40 charge does not begin to cover the time it will take.
Details - matching pulleys, very nice, small weights (one missing its bottom plate - I would not replace it if it were going into my collection, but I can replace it if the buyer so desires), perfect, if dirty beat scale, original wall stabilizers and winding key, bob with no dings (ready to be polished to absolute perfection - included in the charge for cleaning the mechanism), delicate finials, lovely contrasting insets to the back board and the base, dial near perfect, with only one faint hairline which I expect to disappear when the dial is cleaned, all in all a very nice Austrian regulator.
A bit more on the mechanism - part of my standard cleaning is to polish, and if needed reblue the screws, the gongs and the hands. When done, these pieces add a lovely counter point to the polished brass. It is always so nice to be able to return a piece like this to its original condition!
I also noted that the mechanism, mounting plate, and top hanger for the pendulum are all serial numbered 40132 and that the escapement anchor is one of the finest I have seen - a clear sign of one of the finer Viennese mechanisms.
If you want a very nice, and still relatively small granne-sonnerie striking Vienna Regulator, and you like the narrower lines so well represented by this clock... well... I guess you should buy this one!
