FINE ANTIQUE CLOCKS.
Tel.(01732)358986. Fax.(01732)771842.
FINE ANTIQUE CLOCKS.
Tel.(01732)358986. Fax.(01732)771842.
|
31283C.BR An important and rare month duration mahogany table regulator. The severe and attractive case in typical Regency style with ebonised dental mouldings to the top and the base and fluted square columns to the corners. The case has a glass rear door through which can be viewed the movement and the escapement. The silvered brass dial with large seconds ring and state of wind indicator above six o’clock is signed by the maker, ‘Tho’s Prest, London.’ It has a thin minute hand and spade shaped hour hand and is contained within an opening cast brass bezel. The substantial and unusual movement has a large front plate but a much smaller backplate presumably to enable the whole of the escapement to be viewed from behind. The chain fusee drives from a huge barrel to give the month duration. The chronometer escapement and the last wheel in the train are mounted almost as a separate movement at the top of the large front plate. The pivoted detent utilizes its own small blued helical hairspring. The large chronometer balance with screwed on weights also utilizes a larger blued helical hairspring. There are indications that this clock was used as an experimental regulator before being finalized in its present form and presumably retailed by Prest. |
 Click here to enlarge picture |
|
This is a most unusual table regulator which may indeed have been an experimental clock made by Thomas Prest shortly after he left the employment of J R Arnold. Thomas Prest 1770-1852 was apprenticed to John Arnold in Eltham on the 5th January 1784. After finishing his apprenticeship he remained with John Arnold and was later promoted to the position of foreman in Arnold’s workshop. He patented a keyless crown watch in 1820, patent number 4501. It is not known when he left John Arnold’s workshop but this clock would date from very shortly after that move. Height: 13.5" (34 cms.) |
