VR-651 3 weight by Walloschek with a Becker mechanism

In the latter quarter of the 1800's it was not uncommon to find that Viennese clock makers were “bringing in” German factory-made mechanisms and mounting them in Viennese-made cases. The simple economics of producing hand finished mechanisms could no longer compete with the inexpensive German works. Such is the case with VR-651. Its maker, Eduard Walloschek, installed a Becker mechanism in a case that was clearly made in Vienna. When working on this mechanism I noted that two of the more obvious short comings of the Becker mechanism had been taken care of – all of the pivots had been burnished (at least when I went through the mechanisms, they were in better shape and better finished than any I typically see in a Becker mechanism) and the flimsy bent brass strike train fans were replaced with exquisitely-machined fans cut from thick pieces of brass. Note, these fans are not the same as the ones typically found on a Viennese mechanism – these look to have been hand made with amazing attention to detail.

It is also interesting to note that the mechanism mounting plate is serial numbered to match the mechanism. While I have never seen this in a Becker cased clock, perhaps it was something done when Becker was selling mechanisms for use in others cases.

If you would like to see the mechanism - go to the mechanism gallery and scroll down to VR-651.

The case work and finish on this piece is exceptional. I noted that the glazing strips around the window glass is all stained and finished to match the case. I also noted the wall stabilizers - with their large knurled locking nuts and machined mounting brackets. The brackets especially are a feature that would not be found on a Becker of the latter quarter of the 1800’s.

But, what really matters is that this piece is in exceptional, excellent, perhaps fantastic condition!