VR-354 - Transitional period month-duration Viennese Timepiece with Center Second in a stunning case
This absolutely exquisite example of the complexity and exuberance of middle of nineteenth century is in excellent condition. It is not often that you find a clock that is this complex, and in this nice of condition - not that it is perfect, but its flaws are very acceptable and will not distract your eye from the overall impact of a clock that is six feet, two inches long.
And, as if the case were not enough, this is a month duration Viennese timepiece with center second. As my buyer points out, you very rarely find a clock with center-second, and then they are nearly always week runners. This clock truly is a rare piece, one suitable as the centerpiece for even the more advanced collection.
I can remember early in my clock collecting career seeing a pair of very elegant and grand Vienna Regulators to either side of the entrance to a dining room. They were so massive, so impressive, I knew that I would have to own such a piece one day. I suspect this is the same feeling you will have when you see this piece.
I believe this clock speaks for itself. It is in very nice to perfect condition, so I will not go through my usual litany of praise about the near perfect bob, the weight with the heavy hook washer, the hands that are amongst the finest I have ever seen, the pulley that is a precision-made work of art, the embossed dial bezel, the near perfect dial with three very subtle hairline cracks (which would disappear if you have me clean the mechanism) ... all those things are there. The things that I noticed when I looked at this clock are the gorgeous rope-twist columns to the top edges of the door, the massive finials to the top of the clock, the absolutely appropriate, and ever so cute finials to the sides of the bottom, the very delicate hanging finials to the sides of the door, but mostly I notice the center-sweep second. And that it is running behind me as I type this description. This is the kind of clock that it is hard to let go.
The door glass is too flat to be old, as is one side piece, the other is nice and wavy. The door lock works, is fitted with its appropriate key, and he case is clean, and beautifully waxed. One detail that stands out is how thin this case is to the wall. Usually a case of this scale would stand out 8 or more inches in the body of the clock. This one, with a sixteen inch wide door, stands out only five and a half inches, measured at the door. While the mechanism is in good shape, and running behind me, I would recommend a good clean, just to bring it up to the finish it deserves. When I go through the finer mechanisms I just naturally make everything just a little bit nicer - the pivots a bit more perfect, the pallets mirror smooth, perfectly flat...
And, if you have never heard a Vienna Regulator with a sweep second hand that is another treat - you can actually hear the beat - not obtrusive, but audible, with a bit more depth than a typical Graham deadbeat month-runner, which typically I can’t hear at all. Oh, and, as you would expect, the mechanism includes maintaining power.
OK. I like the clock. I love the mechanism. It’s just that there is this earlier Dachluhr...
And, because of my desire to own this other clock, you have the chance to buy this very rare, very nice, very unusual Vienna Regulator.
Read MoreAnd, as if the case were not enough, this is a month duration Viennese timepiece with center second. As my buyer points out, you very rarely find a clock with center-second, and then they are nearly always week runners. This clock truly is a rare piece, one suitable as the centerpiece for even the more advanced collection.
I can remember early in my clock collecting career seeing a pair of very elegant and grand Vienna Regulators to either side of the entrance to a dining room. They were so massive, so impressive, I knew that I would have to own such a piece one day. I suspect this is the same feeling you will have when you see this piece.
I believe this clock speaks for itself. It is in very nice to perfect condition, so I will not go through my usual litany of praise about the near perfect bob, the weight with the heavy hook washer, the hands that are amongst the finest I have ever seen, the pulley that is a precision-made work of art, the embossed dial bezel, the near perfect dial with three very subtle hairline cracks (which would disappear if you have me clean the mechanism) ... all those things are there. The things that I noticed when I looked at this clock are the gorgeous rope-twist columns to the top edges of the door, the massive finials to the top of the clock, the absolutely appropriate, and ever so cute finials to the sides of the bottom, the very delicate hanging finials to the sides of the door, but mostly I notice the center-sweep second. And that it is running behind me as I type this description. This is the kind of clock that it is hard to let go.
The door glass is too flat to be old, as is one side piece, the other is nice and wavy. The door lock works, is fitted with its appropriate key, and he case is clean, and beautifully waxed. One detail that stands out is how thin this case is to the wall. Usually a case of this scale would stand out 8 or more inches in the body of the clock. This one, with a sixteen inch wide door, stands out only five and a half inches, measured at the door. While the mechanism is in good shape, and running behind me, I would recommend a good clean, just to bring it up to the finish it deserves. When I go through the finer mechanisms I just naturally make everything just a little bit nicer - the pivots a bit more perfect, the pallets mirror smooth, perfectly flat...
And, if you have never heard a Vienna Regulator with a sweep second hand that is another treat - you can actually hear the beat - not obtrusive, but audible, with a bit more depth than a typical Graham deadbeat month-runner, which typically I can’t hear at all. Oh, and, as you would expect, the mechanism includes maintaining power.
OK. I like the clock. I love the mechanism. It’s just that there is this earlier Dachluhr...
And, because of my desire to own this other clock, you have the chance to buy this very rare, very nice, very unusual Vienna Regulator.
