A fine quality eight day Georgian longcase clock by James Stretch of Birmingham c.1765

Maker: James Stretch c.1740-70, is listed in Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Central England by Joseph McKenna as son of Joseph Stretch. Watchmaker and silversmith. "To James Stretch for Winding up and taking are of the School Clock One Year's Salary due at Midsummer 1764" (Records of King Edward School, Birmingham). There is a watch by him in the Science Museum, London. James Stretch died 22nd September 1770. The Stretch family were Quakers from the Midlands and have noted connections with the United States of America.
Date: 1765
Height: 211cm
Width: 49cm
Depth: 24cm
Price: Sold

Case

A fine quality red walnut 8 day longcase clock by James Stretch of Birmingham, circa 1765.

The well proportioned slender case, constructed of beautifully figured red walnut, of excellent original colour and patination.

The flat topped hood and frieze, beneath the hood door having attached turned pillars terminating with turned gilded wooden capitals, corresponding quarter turned columns and capitals to the rear.

The long shaped trunk door with finely moulded edge, over a box base with a skirted double plinth.

The original steel lock, brass strap hinges and engraved brass escutcheon to the trunk door.

Dial

The square brass dial of elegant design with finely cast ornate spandrel mounts to the corners and a matted dial centre, silvered subsidiary seconds zone, ringed calendar work within the square aperture above the VI.

The silvered chapter ring has bold Roman numerals and an outer minute circle with Arabic numerals at five minute intervals

Silvered cartouche to the centre, signed to the lower edge Jam's Stretch Birmingham.

Movement

The fine quality fully restored movement of eight day duration united by five knopped pillars, with anchor escapement and striking the hours on a single bell.

Strike, strike silent facility, with the lever located above the XII

All of our clock movements are restored by our horologist who works exclusively for us.
Our horologist is a Fellow of the British Horological Institute (FBHI), having 35 years of full time professional engagement in the repair & restoration of clocks, watches, music boxes & barometers. He was the recipient of the 1977 Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Bronze Medal.

Weights and pendulum

The original lead weights, original brass faced pendulum.

Hands

Finely fretted and wrought blued steel hands.