Lot 374

English, Height 1750 mm, circa 1900
A unique precision regulator with magenetic pendulum stimulus and a variation of a "Spring-Pallet" gravity escapement
Case: mahogany, satinwood. Dial: silvered. Movm.: brass in straight line, skeletonized, brass/steel pendulum, pendulum spring suspension.
It is a bold concept this regulator uses to control the pendulum drive: the pendulum makes a short piece of spring steel that hangs from the end of a rod sweep over two elevations on a flexible metal strip. When the amplitude of the oscillation decreases sufficiently (approximately every five or six swings), the spring is caught between the elevations and the metal strip bends down to close a contact; the contact activates two magnets in the case which provide new power to the pendulum. The arms of the escapement (which are fitted with roller pallets) are moved up in turn by the pendulum; through the small weights on the levers, gravity drives the movement. Because of the minimalist movement structure and the dial ring the process is easy to observe - the linear movement of 6.3 mm strong brass is approximately 23 mm wide. The base of the clock case has been decorated with an inlaid conch ornament - it could be a reference to either the maker or the owner of this most likely unique timepiece.