Art Deco Westminster / Whittington Chime Mantel Clock, Serviced, Springs
Item History & Price
For sale is a very nice example of a mid-1930’s Art Deco style Westminster / Whittington chiming mantel clock, which has been fully serviced, and comes with a key. The movement is almost certainly German, given the dial is marked ‘Foreign’ and from the paperwork on the inside rear door dates it to December 1935 - coinciding with the period when non-British made clocks had to be marked this way.
The clock is in excellent working order following a complete service and new spring...s (see below) and keeps time with a strong and steady tick. It plays the Westminster or Whittington chimes on the quarter hours and strikes the hours on the hour. The choice of chimes can be selected using the lever adjacent to the ‘3’. Chimes and strikes can be silenced using the lever at the ‘12’.
Copy this link into your browser to see a YouTube video of the clock ‘in action’: https://youtu.be/OzyWUnADd4Q
The outer case is in very good condition, with no marks or scratches, just a lovely rich polish. The decorative patterning on the front lower edge is also in excellent condition along the entire length. The rear door opens smoothly and latches tight.
The glass and bezel are in very good condition, being bright and clear. The door opens and closes smoothly and clicks shut tightly. The hands are very much Deco-style and in excellent condition. The numbering and minute divisions are also in good condition. There are some light markings around the winding holes and chime selector, but nothing more than honest use over the last 80 years or so.
In terms of servicing, the movement was stripped down, cleaned in an ultrasonic bath and an horological cleaning solution. Pivot holes were inspected for wear - and very unusually - none required re-bushing. Pivots were also checked for wear / roughness and polished as appropriate. The movement was then re-assembled and re-oiled using both heavy and medium clock oil.
The springs were removed from the barrels, cleaned and inspected. After a period of time on test, I determined that the Strike and Time springs were ‘set’ (essentially, they had become fixed in an overly compressed position) and so not providing the power that they should. These two springs have now been replaced with brand new ones, per the last picture. The clock now performs as it should, running for a full eight days.
The clock will be posted in brand new packaging and double boxed for added protection. Pendulum / bob will be removed for transport and the springs let down. Delivery will be via Royal Mail’s Parcel Force 48 signed service. I don’t charge for packaging and the postage costs are less than I pay Royal Mail.
It will also be set ‘in beat’ for a properly level surface (‘in beat’ being a nice and evenly spaced ‘tick-tock’ sound when the pendulum is swinging). However, should the journey to you affect that setting, or if it’s being placed on a not quite level surface, it may need adjusting. If you need it, I’ll be happy to provide assistance. It’s not a complicated process and I’ll be happy to talk you through it.
I want you to be really happy with your clock. However, if you decide it’s not what you wanted, or expected, I offer a 14 day money back guarantee. The clock must be returned in its original condition and you would be responsible for postage and packing costs.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m happy to provide any additional information I can
The clock is in excellent working order following a complete service and new spring...s (see below) and keeps time with a strong and steady tick. It plays the Westminster or Whittington chimes on the quarter hours and strikes the hours on the hour. The choice of chimes can be selected using the lever adjacent to the ‘3’. Chimes and strikes can be silenced using the lever at the ‘12’.
Copy this link into your browser to see a YouTube video of the clock ‘in action’: https://youtu.be/OzyWUnADd4Q
The outer case is in very good condition, with no marks or scratches, just a lovely rich polish. The decorative patterning on the front lower edge is also in excellent condition along the entire length. The rear door opens smoothly and latches tight.
The glass and bezel are in very good condition, being bright and clear. The door opens and closes smoothly and clicks shut tightly. The hands are very much Deco-style and in excellent condition. The numbering and minute divisions are also in good condition. There are some light markings around the winding holes and chime selector, but nothing more than honest use over the last 80 years or so.
In terms of servicing, the movement was stripped down, cleaned in an ultrasonic bath and an horological cleaning solution. Pivot holes were inspected for wear - and very unusually - none required re-bushing. Pivots were also checked for wear / roughness and polished as appropriate. The movement was then re-assembled and re-oiled using both heavy and medium clock oil.
The springs were removed from the barrels, cleaned and inspected. After a period of time on test, I determined that the Strike and Time springs were ‘set’ (essentially, they had become fixed in an overly compressed position) and so not providing the power that they should. These two springs have now been replaced with brand new ones, per the last picture. The clock now performs as it should, running for a full eight days.
The clock will be posted in brand new packaging and double boxed for added protection. Pendulum / bob will be removed for transport and the springs let down. Delivery will be via Royal Mail’s Parcel Force 48 signed service. I don’t charge for packaging and the postage costs are less than I pay Royal Mail.
It will also be set ‘in beat’ for a properly level surface (‘in beat’ being a nice and evenly spaced ‘tick-tock’ sound when the pendulum is swinging). However, should the journey to you affect that setting, or if it’s being placed on a not quite level surface, it may need adjusting. If you need it, I’ll be happy to provide assistance. It’s not a complicated process and I’ll be happy to talk you through it.
I want you to be really happy with your clock. However, if you decide it’s not what you wanted, or expected, I offer a 14 day money back guarantee. The clock must be returned in its original condition and you would be responsible for postage and packing costs.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m happy to provide any additional information I can
