VR-529 - Unusual Month Duration Mechanism by Franz Mosslinger
I believe that this mechanism is Franz's masterpiece - the mechanism he made to qualify as a Master Clockmaker. So many unusual features:
All the screws appear to be hand-made, rather than the typical screws that were available in Vienna in the 1830’s. This includes some exquisitely fine screws that hold the seat board to the mechanism
Whilst the crutch pin adjustment is not unheard of, the execution, with the very thick framework is unlike the ones I have seen before. Then there is the exquisite curved bits on the pin itself. Very nicely done.
Wheels and winding drum smaller than typical and beautifully executed. Just look at the extremely fine escape wheel!
Totally unusual maintaining power setup – exquisite in its execution
Very rough porcelain dial – almost as if made by an apprentice working for his master’s status
Inset winding-hole grommet – never seen one done like this – a perfect solution for the earlier mechanisms with their very fine hands and minimal clearance between the dial and the hands.
Weighted bob – originally the lead was staked to the back of the pendulum bob – it was loose in the bob when I took it apart – I reattached it with small screws.
Thin plates with shallow oil-sinks, with flaws in the brass showing in the backplate - perhaps a journeyman trying to save a bit of money when making his masterpiece?
That having been said, the pivots on all but the winding drum were in near perfect shape - a sure sign of the quality of this makers work.
Read MoreAll the screws appear to be hand-made, rather than the typical screws that were available in Vienna in the 1830’s. This includes some exquisitely fine screws that hold the seat board to the mechanism
Whilst the crutch pin adjustment is not unheard of, the execution, with the very thick framework is unlike the ones I have seen before. Then there is the exquisite curved bits on the pin itself. Very nicely done.
Wheels and winding drum smaller than typical and beautifully executed. Just look at the extremely fine escape wheel!
Totally unusual maintaining power setup – exquisite in its execution
Very rough porcelain dial – almost as if made by an apprentice working for his master’s status
Inset winding-hole grommet – never seen one done like this – a perfect solution for the earlier mechanisms with their very fine hands and minimal clearance between the dial and the hands.
Weighted bob – originally the lead was staked to the back of the pendulum bob – it was loose in the bob when I took it apart – I reattached it with small screws.
Thin plates with shallow oil-sinks, with flaws in the brass showing in the backplate - perhaps a journeyman trying to save a bit of money when making his masterpiece?
That having been said, the pivots on all but the winding drum were in near perfect shape - a sure sign of the quality of this makers work.
Extremely unusual maintaining power design - I love the way that the stop for the spring is along the entire length of the spring. There is a small stud on one of the spokes of the wheel that engages the spring.
