VR-309 - Exquisite Viennese Single Weight Mechanism
I suppose the greatest thing about buying clocks in Europe is there is a chance to find totally unmolested pieces. Such is the case with this mechanism. With my training by a retired Railroad Watch Inspector I have learned to judge a mechanisms condition by the amount of wear and tear on several items – the screw-heads, the wheel pinions, the pallets and the pivots. What this inspection taught me was that this mechanism has seen years of service, enough that there is a light groove in the pallets and there is wear on the pinions. But, judging by the screw heads, I may be the first person to take this mechanism all the way apart. I am definitely the first to ever do anything to the pivots. A mechanism like this forms the basis for a significant element of my knowledge – being able to see how the original master finished the components of their mechanisms. Karl made each pivot absolutely perfect – as close to a cylinder as possible, very sharp edges to the end of the pivot, and a perfect cone on the end of each pivot. Yes, under a 10 power microscope, I was able to slightly improve the burnish on the pivots – but not significantly. More interestingly, even with the marginal oils available 150 years ago, the pivots were in excellent condition. This speaks to the benefits one garners when burnishing pivots.
Karl Marttin (Martin) My primary reference for Viennese makers, Claterbos (Viennese Clockmakers and What They Left Us) lists Karl Martin in the Neubau district of Vienna, at Lindengasse 17 in 1861. By 1893 he was no longer listed in the census.
I checked the copy of the Claterbos’ notes that I was lucky enough to find early on one of our first visits to Vienna and confirmed, no Marttins, but several Martins. Likely a clock-making family.
It is not uncommon to find that a calligrapher has miss-spelled a makers name – which is most likely in this case. One must remember that, even though calligraphers could create beautiful script, all too many were illiterate. None the less, the calligraphy on this dial is magnificent.
I went back and checked the copy of the Claterbos’ notes and confirmed, no Marttins, but several Martins. Likely a clock-making family.
Read MoreKarl Marttin (Martin) My primary reference for Viennese makers, Claterbos (Viennese Clockmakers and What They Left Us) lists Karl Martin in the Neubau district of Vienna, at Lindengasse 17 in 1861. By 1893 he was no longer listed in the census.
I checked the copy of the Claterbos’ notes that I was lucky enough to find early on one of our first visits to Vienna and confirmed, no Marttins, but several Martins. Likely a clock-making family.
It is not uncommon to find that a calligrapher has miss-spelled a makers name – which is most likely in this case. One must remember that, even though calligraphers could create beautiful script, all too many were illiterate. None the less, the calligraphy on this dial is magnificent.
I went back and checked the copy of the Claterbos’ notes and confirmed, no Marttins, but several Martins. Likely a clock-making family.
