A Fine Quality Walnut Lenzkirch Precision Regulator Longcase Clock, Circa 1880.
The Lenzkirch factories made the best of the German factory-produced clocks. This piece, being a precision regulator, is an excellent example of the finest mechanism made by this prestigious maker.
Case
This beautifully proportioned clock, being a precision regulator, is an excellent example of the finest clocks and mechanisms made by this prestigious maker.
The small size figured walnut case with a moulded architectural pediment top surmounted by a turned wooden finial with carved floral decoration beneath.
The case is in fine original condition with excellent colour and patination.
The case is glazed to the front and sides, with the original glass, flanked by beautifully figured walnut, with shaped mouldings, scrolled decoration to the top and bottom and carved rosettes to the upper section..
The long door is latched with matching cast brass hooks, one top and one bottom, with the original lock, key and cast brass escutcheon to the case side. The glass to both front doors and the sides of the case is wonderfully old and wavy.
The step moulded base with a fully opening drawer, finely decorated to the front panel with well executed floral carving, surmounted on four turned feet.
The interior of the case is finely polished figured walnut with the original white enamel beat scale.
The polished movement bracket with blued steel screws is mounted to the backboard of the case and the substantial pendulum gridiron hangs from this.
Dial
The heavy gauge silvered brass dial is 10”” in diameter with engine turned decoration to the centre, Roman numerals and outer minute track, polished brass sight ring. The original blued steel hands and sweep centre second hand.
Movement
The 8 day precision regulator movement with adjustable deadbeat escapement and Harrison’s maintaining power and slide beat adjustment crutch.
The movement wheel work is finely executed with five spoke gearing.
The A-frame plates united by four turned pillars and secured with knurled thumb-screws, large knurled thumb screws secure the movement to the substantial brass mount bracket in the case.
The seconds beating compensated gridiron pendulum has an adjustable crutch slot which exactly matches the crutch pin and therefore minimises energy loss between the mechanism and the pendulum rod.
The movement is signed to the backplate Lenzkirch AUG and numbered 486538 dating the clock to circa 1879/1880.
The clock is a superb timekeeper, as would be expected for a clock of this quality.
Weights and pendulum
A superb quality compensated polished gridiron pendulum with a substantial 9” diameter brass bob, filled with 12 pounds of lead, with a large calibrated knurled rating nut and blued steel pointer.
The cylindrical polished brass weight and ornate spoked pulley with blued steel screws.
Hands
Blued steel hands.
Maker
The Lenzkirch factories made the best of the German factory-produced clocks. This piece, being a precision regulator, is an excellent example of the finest mechanism made by this prestigious maker.
Lenzkirch was founded by Eduard Hauser who was trained in France and Switzerland. The influence of his French training is clearly visible in the quality of his work. The mechanism in this clock is serial numbered 917781 and has the classical Lenzkirch trademark.
The authoritative tome – “Lenzkircher Uhren. 1851-2001 (150 Jahre). Aus der Geschichte einer bemerkenswerten Uhrmacherzeit” provides a table of serial numbers (pg 38) suggesting this piece was made in 1891.
All of our clocks have been sympathetically restored and have been expertly vetted for originality and good working order. All clocks purchased from us are guaranteed for two years.
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 50 years of full time professional engagement in the repair & restoration of clocks, watches, music boxes & barometers. He was the recipient of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Bronze Medal.
Delivery and installation of our longcase clocks is carried out free of charge within the U.K. For overseas customers a fully insured door to door service is provided by our regular couriers, please contact us for a specific quotation. All longcase clocks are securely packed and comprehensive installation and maintenance instructions are included.