VR-252 - Month-running Dachluhr Viennese Regulator
The Dachluhr, with their distinctive six lite, or six glass cases are the second earliest style of Viennese Regulators, dating from 1820 to 1845. As time went by the austerity of the Dachluhrs was softened with simple adornments, as seen in this piece, which dates from around 1830 to 40. At this time it was not unusual to see a top that slopes to the sides, forming a “roof” (Dach in German, hence, with uhr, a roofed clock). This case then has a facade in front of the roof, as is common in many of the buildings you will see around the city centers of European cities.
In addition to having a Dachluhr case, this is a month-running timepiece, and also one with some interesting quirks. Note the unusual mechanism mounts - a pair of iron brackets that bolt thru the backboard. And the lovely hand-made screws which hold the mechanism to the brackets, the unusual hands - of the correct form, but a bit simpler than one would find on a Viennese clock, the suspension spring hanger, mounted to the anchor-arbor bridge, the pulley; a hand-made work of art - rougher than one would expect from Vienna - but beautifully done, and the end of the weight line does not just loop over a hook: The weight line is tied to an elaborate hook which then is hung over one of the lower mechanism posts. I find that many of the clocks I work on are very similar, very nice, but pretty similar. Pieces like this are exciting just because they are so very different. This clock, with its unusual features, and a bit rougher execution than found in a Viennese clock, is probably a provincial piece - made in one of the outlying towns away from the clock-making center of Vienna. For myself, the provincial clocks, with their individual quirks, make some of the most interesting and desirable pieces.
Note the delicate engine-turned bezel, single-piece porcelain dial, the numbers on which are a bit worse for wear, but original, the brass-backed pendulum bob, unusual beat adjustment arrangement, all appropriate features for a Dachluhr of this period. And all of the glass appear to be original except for one of the side pieces.
This case has also been restored - nicely done, allowing the original color to come through and giving this clock a beautiful presence, as can be seen in the photos.
Read MoreIn addition to having a Dachluhr case, this is a month-running timepiece, and also one with some interesting quirks. Note the unusual mechanism mounts - a pair of iron brackets that bolt thru the backboard. And the lovely hand-made screws which hold the mechanism to the brackets, the unusual hands - of the correct form, but a bit simpler than one would find on a Viennese clock, the suspension spring hanger, mounted to the anchor-arbor bridge, the pulley; a hand-made work of art - rougher than one would expect from Vienna - but beautifully done, and the end of the weight line does not just loop over a hook: The weight line is tied to an elaborate hook which then is hung over one of the lower mechanism posts. I find that many of the clocks I work on are very similar, very nice, but pretty similar. Pieces like this are exciting just because they are so very different. This clock, with its unusual features, and a bit rougher execution than found in a Viennese clock, is probably a provincial piece - made in one of the outlying towns away from the clock-making center of Vienna. For myself, the provincial clocks, with their individual quirks, make some of the most interesting and desirable pieces.
Note the delicate engine-turned bezel, single-piece porcelain dial, the numbers on which are a bit worse for wear, but original, the brass-backed pendulum bob, unusual beat adjustment arrangement, all appropriate features for a Dachluhr of this period. And all of the glass appear to be original except for one of the side pieces.
This case has also been restored - nicely done, allowing the original color to come through and giving this clock a beautiful presence, as can be seen in the photos.
